UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — DRDO conducts successful maiden flight-test of ‘Kusha’ Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile

Q1. Under 'Project Kusha', how many variants of interceptors does the DRDO envisage for providing layered air defence coverage?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q2. With reference to Project Kusha and the S-400 Triumf, consider the following statements: 1. Project Kusha was sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Security, whereas the S-400 was acquired through an inter-governmental agreement with Russia. 2. Unlike the imported S-400, all elements of the Kusha system — missiles, radars and command-and-control centre — are indigenously developed. 3. Like the S-400, Project Kusha is designed as a short-range point-defence system. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Project Kusha was sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Security, whereas the S-400 was acquired through an inter-governmental agreement with Russia.
  2. Unlike the imported S-400, all elements of the Kusha system — missiles, radars and command-and-control centre — are indigenously developed.
  3. Like the S-400, Project Kusha is designed as a short-range point-defence system.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Regarding the maiden flight-test of the Kusha LR-SAM, consider the following statements: 1. The test conducted on 23 July 2026 was carried out against an electronic target simulating a high-speed, high-altitude aerial threat. 2. The Kusha system is designed to intercept every category of aerial threat without exception, including satellites in low-earth orbit. 3. The maiden test was carried out entirely with imported radars while only the missiles were indigenous. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The test conducted on 23 July 2026 was carried out against an electronic target simulating a high-speed, high-altitude aerial threat.
  2. The Kusha system is designed to intercept every category of aerial threat without exception, including satellites in low-earth orbit.
  3. The maiden test was carried out entirely with imported radars while only the missiles were indigenous.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. The maiden flight-test of the 'Kusha' Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile was conducted by which one of the following organisations?

  • A. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
  • B. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
  • C. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
  • D. BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited

Q5. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, which serves as one of India's principal missile integration and launch sites, is located off the coast of which state?

  • A. Odisha
  • B. Andhra Pradesh
  • C. Tamil Nadu
  • D. West Bengal

Q6. The Integrated Test Range on APJ Abdul Kalam Island, from which the Kusha missile was tested, functions under which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Earth Sciences
  • C. Ministry of Science and Technology
  • D. Ministry of Defence

Q7. Under its 2018 contract with Russia, how many squadrons of the S-400 Triumf air defence system did India agree to procure?

  • A. Three
  • B. Five
  • C. Four
  • D. Six

Q8. In which year did India sign the inter-governmental agreement with Russia for the procurement of the S-400 Triumf air defence system?

  • A. 2015
  • B. 2016
  • C. 2018
  • D. 2020

Q9. Consider the following surface-to-air missile systems: 1. Akash 2. QRSAM 3. MRSAM (Barak-8) 4. S-400 Triumf Which of the above are correctly identified as systems developed indigenously by the DRDO (without a foreign development partner)?

  1. Akash
  2. QRSAM
  3. MRSAM (Barak-8)
  4. S-400 Triumf
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4

Q10. Consider the following statements comparing the induction of Kusha with the S-400: 1. Phased induction of Kusha into the armed forces is expected between 2028 and 2030. 2. The fifth and final S-400 squadron is expected to be delivered before Kusha's induction begins. 3. On induction, Kusha is intended to replace the Akash system in the short-range point-defence role. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Phased induction of Kusha into the armed forces is expected between 2028 and 2030.
  2. The fifth and final S-400 squadron is expected to be delivered before Kusha's induction begins.
  3. On induction, Kusha is intended to replace the Akash system in the short-range point-defence role.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. Consider the following statements about India's surface-to-air missile systems: 1. Kusha is classified as a Long-Range SAM, whereas the land-based MRSAM (Barak-8) is a Medium-Range SAM. 2. QRSAM is a quick-reaction short-range system, in contrast to the long-range Kusha. 3. The MRSAM was developed jointly by the DRDO and the United States, unlike the fully indigenous Kusha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Kusha is classified as a Long-Range SAM, whereas the land-based MRSAM (Barak-8) is a Medium-Range SAM.
  2. QRSAM is a quick-reaction short-range system, in contrast to the long-range Kusha.
  3. The MRSAM was developed jointly by the DRDO and the United States, unlike the fully indigenous Kusha.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3