Project Kushais a programme under theDefense Research and Development Organization(DRDO), for developing theExtended Range Air Defence System (ERADS),also referred to asXRSAM[a]orPGLRSAM[b].The goal is to design a transportable, long-rangesurface-to-air missilesystem. The missile system will consist of at least three types of interceptors and is expected to be deployed by theIndian Air ForceandIndian Navyby 2028–2029.[1][5][6]
| Project Kusha | |
|---|---|
| Type | Long-rangesurface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2028-29 (planned)[1] |
| Used by | Indian Air Force(on order) Indian Navy(planned) |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Defence Research and Development Laboratory(DRDO) |
| Designed | 2023 -present |
| Specifications | |
| Warhead | Fragmentation |
Detonation mechanism | Optical proximity fuze |
Operational range | [2][3][4]
|
Guidance system | RFDatalink |
Launch platform | Transporter Erector Launcher |
It will supplement the Indo-IsraeliBarak 8,RussianS-400and IndianBallistic Missile Defence Systemin theIndian armed forces.
Development
editThe missile system might used to bridge the gap between theMR-SAM(80 km) andS-400(400 km). It is being developed as an area-defence system. TheIndian Air Force(IAF) will be the lead agency for this air defence system.[7][2]
The project was cleared for development by theCabinet Committee on Security(CCS) in May 2022, and was granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) by theMinistry of Defence(MoD) in September 2023 for procuring five of its squadrons for the IAF for₹21,700crore(US$2.6 billion).[2]
The naval version of the missile might be also developed to supplement theLR-SAMmissile in theIndian Navy.[4][8]
As of August 2024, DRDO is about to start the fabrication process of 5 M1 missiles (range of 150 km). DRDO has also placed order for 20 sets of airframes, 20 sets of rocket motors, 50 sets of kill vehicles (warhead), onboard & groundtransceiversfortelemetry.The missiles are expected to begin testing in early 2025.[9][10]
Design
editThe missile system includes at least three types of interceptor missiles. The missiles will have ranges of 150 km, 250 km and 350 km. This system will also feature advanced long-range surveillance and fire control radars.[5][2]The air defence system will be capable of detecting and destroying enemy assets likecruise missiles,stealth fighter jets, and drones at around 250 km range and larger aircraft likeairborne early warning and control(AEW&CS) at a range of 350 km.[7]The missiles may also possess short or medium rangeBMDcapabilities. It will have a single-shot kill probability more than 80% and not less than 90% probability in salvo launch mode.[1][2]
The missile batteries will be able to “interact” with the IAF’sintegrated air command and control system(IACCS). It is a fully-automated air defence network operated by Indian Air Force which will be built to combine numerous military and civilian radars with each other in Indian airspace to make the Air Defence system more efficient and reliable.[1]
According to a report, the naval variant exceeding 250 km-range missile will be capable of interceptinganti-ship ballistic missile(ASBM) with a speed ofMach7.[6]
Operators
edit
Indian Air Force— 5 Squadrons (on order).[1]
Indian Navy— Planned
See also
editSimilar systems
- S-400 missile system– (Soviet Union, Russia)
- S-500 missile system– (Russia)
- HQ-9– (China)
- Iron Dome– (Israel)
- MIM-104 Patriot– (United States)
- Terminal High Altitude Area Defence– (United States)(THAAD)
Related lists
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^abcde"India aims to deploy indigenous long-range air defence system by 2028-2029".The Times of India.31 October 2023.ISSN0971-8257.Retrieved23 February2024.
- ^abcdeDeshpande, Smruti (31 October 2023)."'Desi' S-400: All about Project Kusha, India's very own long-range air defence system ".ThePrint.Retrieved23 February2024.
- ^"ERADS, Desi S-400: IAF Not To Opt For Additional S-400, Instead Will Go For DRDO's Extended Range Air Defence System".India's growing Military power.2 December 2022.
- ^abReddy, U Sudhakar (28 December 2019)."DRDO reveals 350km XRSAM missile details".The Times of India.TNN.Retrieved4 November2022.
- ^ab"S-400 Missile and Project Kusha".Drishti IAS.Retrieved23 February2024.
- ^ab"India's New Naval Missile: Intercepting Mach 7 Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles".Bharat Shakti.20 August 2024.Retrieved21 August2024.
- ^ab"India sets sight on Made in India S-400-like air defence system".India Today.Retrieved23 February2024.
- ^"DRDO readies India's next generation XRSAM-long range air defence missile system"(PDF).Defence Research and Development Organization. 27 December 2019.
- ^Karthikeyan, Varun [@Varun55484761] (29 July 2023)."DRDO is procuring 20 sets of Airframe s,20 sets of rocket motors, 50 sets of Kill Vehicles, onboard & ground Transceivers for Telemetry and other components for it's PGLRSAM(ERSAM/XRSAM)"(Tweet).Retrieved1 September2024– viaTwitter.
- ^Karthikeyan, Varun [@Varun55484761] (28 August 2023)."Fabrication of M1 Missile (5nos) of PGLRSAM is soon to start. Airframe sections are about to procure. Kill Vehicle, seeker housing, various adaptors are about to procure"(Tweet).Retrieved1 September2024– viaTwitter.