India is gearing up to bolster its air defense through Project Kusha, the backbone of Prime Minister Modi’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra, aiming for full coverage by 2035. Approved in 2022 with a ₹21,700 crore budget for five squadrons, this indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile system will introduce progressively capable interceptors: the M1 (150 km range) slated for testing in 2026, followed by the 250 km M2 in 2027 and the 350–400 km M3 in 2028. Designed to counter aerial threats including stealth aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and even short to medium-range ballistic missiles, the system incorporates advanced AESA seekers, hybrid IR/RF guidance, and high maneuverability. Developed by DRDO alongside BEL and private partners, Project Kusha reflects a strategic pivot toward self-reliance. While trials for deployment between 2028 and 2030 are on the horizon, successfully integrating its complex multi-layered architecture remains a pivotal challenge.