CURRENT AFFAIRS | 25 JULY 2026
India conducted the maiden flight test of the indigenous Long-Range Air Defence Missile System ‘Kusha’ in late July 2026, from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. Developed by the DRDO, Kusha is conceived as a multi-layered solution against diverse airborne threats — fighter jets, cruise missiles, drones and large aircraft — across extended ranges and altitudes. It is designed to complement the Akash, Barak-8 and the imported S-400 systems in a comprehensive aerial shield, marking a milestone in India’s push for self-reliant, layered air defence under Atmanirbhar Bharat. (Note: some reports date the test to 23 July; DRDO’s aim and location are consistent across sources.)
Strategic & Institutional Context
DRDO, the R&D wing of the Ministry of Defence, leads India’s indigenous missile programmes. Kusha (Project Kusha / LR-SAM) is intended to sit at the outer layer of a graded shield — with Akash (short-range, indigenous), Barak-8 (India-Israel), and the S-400 (Russian import) — reducing dependence on foreign systems in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Why This Matters for CLAT
Defence and S&T GK is a steady CLAT staple. Lock in the anchors: Kusha = DRDO long-range air defence, tested off Odisha, complementing Akash / Barak-8 / S-400, under Atmanirbhar Bharat. Distinguishing indigenous vs co-developed vs imported systems is a common trap.
Key Facts at a Glance
| System | Kusha (Long-Range Air Defence Missile) |
| Developer | DRDO |
| Milestone | Maiden flight test, late July 2026 |
| Test site | APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha coast |
| Role | Multi-layered air-defence shield |
| Complements | Akash, Barak-8, S-400 |
| Initiative | Atmanirbhar Bharat |
Memory Hook
“KUSHA COVERS THE SKY — A, B, S.” Think of Kusha as the tall outer umbrella over three shorter ones: Akash, Barak-8, S-400. All-Indian umbrella handle = Atmanirbhar Bharat.
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