India is building its own air defence system that will be able to shoot down missiles, drones, planes, helicopters and precision munitions within a radius of 350 km

At the end of the decade, India plans to deploy an air defence system of its own production. It will have capabilities comparable to those offered by Russia's S-400 Triumf system, which is also in service with the Indian Army.

Here's What We Know

The Indian system is so far known as LR-SAM. The development is being carried out under Project Kusha. Deployment of the new system is scheduled for 2028-2029. The launchers will be able to shoot down aerial threats within a range of up to 350kg.

The LR-SAM will be designed to engage different types of aerial targets. These include drones, cruise missiles, helicopters, precision munitions and aircraft, including stealth fighters.

The development programme for the new air defence system was approved in May 2022. The cost of five regimental sets of LR-SAM will be more than $2.6 billion.The procurement was sanctioned by the Indian Ministry of Defence last month.

LR-SAM will be able to use missile interceptors of different ranges. As we wrote above, it will have a maximum range of 350 kilometres. The system will also have missiles with ranges of 150 km and 250 km in its arsenal.

Source: The Times of India