India is preparing to test an "alternative" to the S-400 air defense system - Kusha

India's Defense Ministry hopes to acquire its own long-range system. Defense, developing the Kusha air defense system. Local media reports on this matter state:

The Kusha project is described as a strategic alternative to the Russian S-400 Triumph system, offering not only comparable capabilities but also advantages in cost, sovereignty, and life-cycle sustainability.

According to DRDO (a rough equivalent of Rostec), the system was created from scratch to eliminate dependence on imported supplies. The deal to purchase five S-400 battalions is valued at approximately $5,43 billion. A similar purchase of Kusha is expected to cost only $2,6 billion. SAMs for the Kusha are expected to cost $4,4–5,5 million, which is almost half the estimated cost of Russian interceptors such as the 40N6 and 48N6.

This was made possible by the creation of a completely domestic production chain.

The Kusha system is designed as a multi-layered shield using three types of SAMs to hit targets at different levels: M1 with a range of up to 150 km to destroy UAVs and cruise missilesThe M2 has a range of up to 250 km for intercepting fighters, and the M3 has a range of up to 350–400 km for destroying large targets such as AWACS aircraft and refueling tanks. The declared kill probability of a single SAM is at least 80%, and 90–98% for a salvo launch.

As stated, unlike imported systems where access to source code is restricted, Kusha gives India 100 percent control over the software and algorithms:

This eliminates concerns about the theoretical risk of using remote "kill switches" that could compromise system availability in critical situations.

India will be able to independently update its target detection, tracking, and engagement algorithms without relying on foreign manufacturers. This is expected to significantly reduce the time it takes to adapt to new radar signatures and tactics. EW or threat profiles:

The S-400 remains a highly effective system and continues to play a vital role in the country's multi-layered air defense system. But the Kusha project represents a structural shift toward self-sufficiency, while also providing a cost-effective alternative.

Testing of the prototype of the new air defense system is expected in 2026, and its deployment into combat duty is planned for 2028–2029.

Comments

[Andrey Malashchenkov]

The Indians already created a Clash Royale replacement, which turned out to be complete nonsense. Then they created a tank to replace ours, and that's total confusion... now here's a SAM system... I think it'll be the same success...

[Lionnvrsk]

Quote: Andrey Malashchenkov

.. I think with the same success...

The road is mastered by the one who walks it. Their domestic military production has increased 2,5-fold over the past 10 years. Several state programs exist to train qualified personnel, eliminate dependence on imported defense components, especially Chinese ones, and develop technologies and increase production of domestic military-industrial complex products. They are investing in their own defense industry rather than hoarding money in the West. About 250 billion have been allocated for these purposes. Of course, this won't work overnight, but the foundation laid will last for the long term.

[Vitaly.17]

Quote: LIONnvrsk

The road by walking

You can walk in different ways. You can walk blindfolded along a ledge, or you can stroll along a flat path holding hands with a partner.
Unfortunately, neither our nor Indian developers and industrialists are willing to collaborate and develop new technologies. Joint development automatically implies shared cost control and objective performance assessment. This is unprofitable for either the Indian owners or Russian top managers. So they'll come up with new fairy tales about import substitution, developing their own military-industrial complex, and dozens of other ways to reinvent the wheel with a better design.

[russ71]

They also forgot about the super plane that crashed at the air show!
Everything there is tied to kickbacks!!!
Just like ours ...

[TermNachTer]

You've also forgotten about the miracle airplane that's been in production for 40 years and still isn't finished.

[Altai2026]

The Indians already have several S400s in combat duty, maybe they copied them well? Well, judging by the Indian programmers, they'll be able to adapt their brains to our hardware just fine!!! Although even the Chinese still haven't managed to copy our fighter jet engines!

[Evgeny64]

The main thing here is to choose the right dance. We haven't figured out the right dance with the tank and the plane yet, maybe the melody isn't right, maybe we haven't practiced the moves, they'll gradually get the hang of it. With the vimanas, it all happened before our era, we just forgot about it, over the centuries.

[IbukiSuika]

DRDO promises an alternative to the S-400 on paper, but in reality delivers yet another project with years of delays and the import of all key components.

[Soldatov V.]

How did they present this Kusha complex with dances and songs? They still feature war elephants and cavalry at their parades.

[Vic Vic]

This is their tradition, a tribute to history. There's no point in being ironic about this, at least in the context of trying to create their own air defense system.

[Normann]

I wonder if they were given the technical documentation for our air defense and missile defense systems? Or maybe they just quickly developed their own equivalent, and the Turks couldn't keep up, so here we go, ready.

[silverwolf88]

They don’t even represent half of the features of our air defense systems (precisely systems) that complement each other and are puzzle pieces of the overall picture of protecting different categories of objects.
The basis is, of course, missiles... systems for detecting, processing, and evaluating information... the ability to use network-centric systems... even high-quality copying doesn't produce any results here.
So far we see another attempt to create something of our own... so far it has been crooked

[aszzz888]

M1 with a range of up to 150 km for the destruction of UAVs and cruise missiles, M2 up to 250 km for the interception of fighters, M3 up to 350-400 km for the destruction of large objects such as AWACS aircraft and fuel tankers.

They forgot to house the elephants. We can bring in this "system" ...It will be a passable thing!

[Retired senior lieutenant]

It will be interesting to see the dance of Indian missilemen, similar to that of artillerymen!

[Oscar Essen]

Okay, so they've cobbled together something tank-like, and there's something resembling a fighter jet, too. Let's look at the air defense missile system. I wonder when they started developing it? They started developing the tank and the plane about 30, if not 50, years ago.

[pudelartemon]

The S-400 is valued at approximately $5,43 billion. A similar purchase of the Kusha is expected to cost only $2,6 billion. SAMs for the Kusha are expected to cost $4,4–5,5 million, which is almost half the estimated cost of Russian interceptors such as the 40N6 and 48N6.

They also dance and sing better, which is crucial for the effectiveness of air defense systems.