Full Breakdown
India Schedules First Flight Test of Indigenous Kusha Long-Range SAM
8/9/2026, 12:08:36 AM
Core Event: Planned Flight Test of Kusha
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will conduct the inaugural flight test of the Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile system on July 23. The test is a key step in the two-phase “Mission Sudarshan Chakra,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s blueprint for a multilayered national defence umbrella that aims to protect against ballistic missiles, fighter aircraft, drones and other threats by 2035.
Background & Context
The Kusha programme reflects New Delhi’s drive for self-reliance after years of dependence on imported air-defence hardware, notably Russia’s S-400 Triumf system. Deliveries of the S-400 have been postponed, reportedly because Moscow’s own military commitments in the Ukraine conflict have taken precedence. Indian air-force officials previously highlighted the S-400’s performance during last year’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, saying the system intercepted five Pakistani fighter jets and an early-warning surveillance aircraft.
Official Statements & Responses
Indian air-force leadership praised the S-400’s operational record in Operation Sindoor and stressed the need for a domestically produced complement. He added that a robust, integrated, multilayered system is essential for effective air denial.
Data & Statistics
- Mission Sudarshan Chakra target: a full multilayered defence network by 2035.
- S-400 interceptions in Operation Sindoor: five fighter jets and one early-warning aircraft.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The threats are multiplying with the proliferation of drones and missiles further complicated by fifth-generation fighters. The best way of air denial is to have a robust integrated multilayered air defence system capable of detecting, identifying, engaging and destroying intruders,” — Ravi Gopal Krishna Kapoor