India Kusha Missile Test Video: Rajnath Singh Calls DRDO’s Long-Range Air Defence Trial a Major Achievement
DRDO has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of India's indigenous Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) Kusha from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the system can neutralise fighter jets, cruise missiles, UAVs and other aerial threats. The missile programme is designed to create a long-range air defence shield with variants expected to cover up to 350-400 km.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Thursday, July 23, successfully conducted the maiden flight test of India's indigenous Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) Kusha from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. The test marks a major step in India's efforts to develop advanced domestic air defence capabilities and reduce dependence on imported systems.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the successful trial and said the Kusha missile system is designed to neutralise a wide range of aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), missiles and large enemy aircraft across different ranges and altitude levels. DRDO Successfully Conducts 2nd Long-Duration Test of Actively Cooled Scramjet Combustor in Hyderabad.
DRDO Successfully Tests Kusha Missile
The @DRDO_India has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile Kusha today from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
Kusha missile system is capable of neutralising wide variety of aerial threats including fighter jets,… pic.twitter.com/EceUgGM1HR
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 23, 2026
Rajnath Singh Calls Test a Major Defence Milestone
Sharing details of the successful trial on X, Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO team and described the achievement as an important milestone in India's defence research and development programme. "The DRDO has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile Kusha today from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha," the Defence Minister said.
Singh added that only a few countries currently possess the capability to independently develop long-range surface-to-air missile systems, highlighting the significance of India's achievement. DRDO Successfully Tests ULPGM-V3: India Achieves Breakthrough in UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile Trials (Watch Video).
According to the Defence Minister, the Kusha missile system will help reduce India's reliance on foreign air defence systems while strengthening indigenous defence capabilities.
Kusha Designed for Long-Range Air Defence
The Kusha programme is aimed at creating a layered long-range air defence shield capable of detecting and intercepting multiple types of aerial threats over extended distances and varying altitudes. Officials have said different variants of the missile system are planned, with expected engagement ranges reaching up to 350-400 kilometres.
The system is being developed to provide protection against modern aerial threats, including aircraft, missiles and drones.
The successful maiden flight test is expected to lead to additional developmental trials before the missile system is inducted into operational service.
Once deployed, the Kusha missile system is expected to strengthen India's air defence network and support the country's push for self-reliance in critical defence technologies under its indigenous defence manufacturing initiatives.
The development is part of India's broader effort to expand domestic production of advanced military systems and reduce dependence on imported defence equipment.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 23, 2026 08:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
