Platform profile · India · Mobile, layered long-range surface-to-air missile system · Indian Air Force (planned)
Project Kusha (XRSAM / Extended Range Air Defence System)
DevelopmentBEL's April 8, 2026 land acquisition prepares a Chitrakoot facility to support Kusha, while the Ministry of Defence still described the programme as ongoing R&D in February.
On April 8, 2026, BEL said it had acquired 75 hectares at Chitrakoot for a facility costing more than Rs 600 crore that will cater to Kusha alongside QRSAM and next-generation radars; this is industrial preparation, not an operational-system production order. On February 16, the Ministry of Defence listed Project Kusha MR/LR SAM among BEL's ongoing R&D activities. In August 2025, Indian media reported a revised sequence of M1, M2 and M3 trials in 2026, 2027 and 2028, with development targeted for 2028 and induction from 2030; these remain reported plans. The programme was disclosed as XRSAM-IAF in 2019 and, by November 2023, Janes reported Project Kusha in initial design with three 150 km, 250 km and 350 km interceptor layers and five units cleared for the IAF. It matters because a successful indigenous system would add mobile, long-range depth to India's air-defence network and reduce reliance on imported high-end interceptors.
Updated 12 Jun 2026
Verified figures
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Current programme designation | Project Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile system ↗ |
| Earlier designation | XRSAM-IAF (eXtra Long Range Surface to Air Missile), disclosed for development by DRDL ↗ |
| Intended operator | Indian Air Force ↗ |
| Development team | DRDO-led; BEL is developing radar and control-system subsystems as a development partner ↗ |
| Cleared quantity | Five LRSAM units cleared for the Indian Air Force ↗ |
| Interceptor layers (reported) | Three tiers at 150 km, 250 km and 350 km ↗ |
| Maximum design engagement range | Nearly 350 km ↗ |
| Intended target set | Stealth fighters, aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles, precision-guided munitions and UAVs ↗ |
| IAF extended-range requirement | Aircraft at 250 km, AWACS at 350 km, sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, stealth fighters and terminal-stage ballistic missiles ↗ |
| Launch configuration | Canister-based, transportable truck launcher ↗ |
Spec sources: janes.com ↗ · timesofindia.indiatimes.com ↗ · ndtvprofit.com ↗
Changelog
Program timeline
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh publicly called Project Kusha a game changer, reinforcing government backing for the indigenous long-range air-defence effort.
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BEL said it had acquired 75 hectares in the UPEIDA defence node at Chitrakoot for a facility costing more than Rs 600 crore that will cater to the Kusha air-defence system, QRSAM, next-generation radars and MRO work.
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During the Defence Minister's visit to BEL Bengaluru, the Ministry of Defence listed Project Kusha MR/LR SAM among the company's ongoing R&D activities shown in the briefing.
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Top sources told The Times of India that M1, M2 and M3 tests were planned for 2026, 2027 and 2028 respectively, with development targeted for 2028 and induction from 2030 onwards.
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At BEL's Q4 FY2025 earnings call, CMD Manoj Jain said BEL was jointly developing Kusha radars and control systems with DRDO and expected a prototype in 12-18 months, followed by 12-36 months of user trials.
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A DRDO official told Janes that Project Kusha was in the initial design phase; Janes also reported five LRSAM units cleared for the IAF and a three-tier 150 km, 250 km and 350 km architecture.
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DRDO publicly disclosed the XRSAM-IAF configuration, including a transportable 350 km system intended to engage aircraft, AWACS, sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, stealth fighters and terminal-stage ballistic missiles.
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