Project Kusha, our indigenous air defence shield, will be a game changer, says Rajnath, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared Project Kusha, India's indigenous long-range air defence system, a "game changer" for national security.
• The system's importance was highlighted by its role in Operation Sindoor, a military campaign in 2025 where India's air defence capabilities thwarted enemy intentions.
• Project Kusha is being developed by the DRDO to provide a comprehensive shield against diverse aerial threats, with operational deployment expected around 2028-2030.
• The Minister also inaugurated the Advanced Weapon System Complex at DRDL in Hyderabad, emphasizing India's growing self-reliance in defence technology.
• Mission Sudarshan Chakra, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2025, aims to establish a multi-layered missile defence shield across the country by 2035.
• Indigenous systems like Akash (short to medium-range SAM) and BrahMos (supersonic cruise missile) were cited as examples of India's global competitiveness in defence technology.

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Detailed Insights:

• Rajnath Singh's remarks underscore India's strategic shift towards indigenization and self-reliance in advanced defence systems.
• Project Kusha is designed to rival advanced global systems like Russia's S-400 Triumf, featuring three interceptor variants with ranges up to 400 km.
• Operation Sindoor was a five-day air and air-defence conflict between India and Pakistan in May 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025.
• During Operation Sindoor, India effectively used its layered air defence, including Akash and S-400 systems, to counter saturation drone and missile attacks from Pakistan.
• Mission Sudarshan Chakra envisions an AI-enabled networked architecture integrating various defence assets, space-based sensors, and cyber protection for nationwide security.
• The initiative aims to protect military assets, critical infrastructure, and civilian establishments, drawing parallels with Israel's Iron Dome system.
• The development of such advanced systems addresses the evolving nature of warfare, which now includes precision-strike systems, hypersonic weapons, autonomous platforms, artificial intelligence, and electronic warfare.
• The Advanced Weapon System Complex at DRDL will further boost India's capabilities in missile systems and strategic technologies.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Project Kusha: An indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system under development by DRDO to provide a multi-layered air defence shield.
• Operation Sindoor: A military campaign in 2025 where India utilized its air defence capabilities against aerial threats from Pakistan.
• Mission Sudarshan Chakra: An ambitious Indian defence initiative to create a comprehensive, multi-layered, AI-enabled defensive shield by 2035.
• Strategic Autonomy: The ability of a nation to develop and produce its own defence technologies, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.