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India to Begin Missile Trials from 2026 for a Multi-Layered Missile Defense System


India Prepares for a Multi-Domain Missile Defence System 


India is set to begin an ambitious series of missile trials starting in 2026, marking a step toward establishing an indigenous multi-layered missile defense system by 2035.

India's defense research organisation (DRDO) will commence testing of the M1 interceptor missile in 2026, with a range of 150 kilometers designed to counter enemy aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, and precision-guided munitions. This will be followed by trials of the M2 missile (250-kilometer range) in 2027 and the M3 missile (350-kilometer range) in 2028.


The initiative, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day 2025, is India's most comprehensive defense modernization effort. The mission aims to create a defense shield comparable to Israel's Iron Dome and the United States' proposed Golden Dome, but uniquely tailored to India's extensive geographical requirements and multi-domain threats.

"Every citizen of the country should feel safe. Whatever technology comes to attack us, our technology should prove to be better than that," Prime Minister Modi declared, emphasizing that the defense shield would not only neutralize enemy attacks but also enable counter-strikes "many times more".

Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan expressed confidence that India could build its own "Iron or Golden Dome" under Mission Sudarshan Chakra at "an affordable cost" with a whole-of-nation approach, describing it as both "shield and sword".

Recent successful testing has bolstered confidence in the programme. On August 23, 2025, DRDO conducted the maiden flight test of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), successfully engaging three targets simultaneously using Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles, Very Short Range Air Defence System missiles, and laser-based Directed Energy Weapons.


India expect to integrate multiple layers of protection, combining surveillance, cybersecurity, and various air defense systems capable of countering threats from long-range missiles to small drones. The system will protect not only strategic military installations but also civilian infrastructure including hospitals, railway networks, and religious sites.

The mission incorporates India's existing two-tier Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system, which already demonstrated capability to intercept missiles with ranges up to 5,000 kilometers during successful Phase-II trials in July 2024. The Phase-I BMD system, capable of intercepting missiles up to 2,000 kilometers, is already deployed around Delhi according to the Indian Media.


Project Kusha

Project Kusha, often called India's "indigenous S-400," features three interceptor missile variants with ranges of 150, 250, and 350 kilometers respectively. The system is designed to achieve single-shot kill probability exceeding 80% and over 90% in salvo launch mode. With an 80-90% interception success rate, the system is positioned to counter stealth jets, drones, aircraft, and Mach 7 anti-ship ballistic missiles.

Bharat Electronics Limited, serving as DRDO's development partner, expects potential orders worth up to $4.5 Billion from Project Kusha, with prototype development expected within 12-18 months.


The mission aligns with India's self-reliant  initiative, with the entire system to be researched, developed, and manufactured domestically. Although sweet on paper, it is not clear what will be the practical output of the project considering the failed Tejas fighter jet. 


Financial Commitment and Challenges

India's defense budget for 2025-26 reached a record $78.3 billion, marking a 9.5% increase from the previous year. Following the recent military clashes with Pakistan, an additional $5.7 Billion in emergency funding has been proposed for immediate weapons procurement. Defense spending projections indicate India will invest $543.1 billion between 2026-2030 for military modernization.

However, significant challenges remain. The mission requires substantial funding, complex integration across multiple domains, and coordination between various agencies. The success depends on overcoming logistical hurdles while building a robust domestic supply chain capable of scaling from prototypes to nationwide deployment within the decade timeline.


Regional Security Dynamics

The mission comes amid heightened regional tensions, particularly following the April 2025 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people and subsequent military confrontation with Pakistan. The conflict highlighted both the in-effectiveness of India's current defense systems and the need for comprehensive indigenous capabilities.

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