DRDO Successfully Conducts Maiden Flight Test Of Long-Range Surface-To-Air Missile Kusha

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the long-range surface-to-air missile Kusha from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. The Ministry of Defence said the test was conducted against an electronic target simulating a high-speed, high-altitude aerial threat, which was successfully intercepted by the missile system.

The Ministry said the Kusha missile system is capable of neutralising a wide range of aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and large enemy aircraft across a broad range and altitude envelope.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO and all other stakeholders on the successful test. In a social media post, he said the achievement marks an important milestone in India’s defence research and development. Mr Singh said the capability to develop a long-range surface-to-air missile system is possessed by only a handful of nations. He added that the missile system will reduce India’s dependence on imports and significantly strengthen the country’s air defence capability.(UPDATED ON 24TH JULY 2026)