India's Sudarshan Chakra Shield Takes Shape As Test Of New M1 Missile Set For 2026

India is set to begin testing its first long-range interceptor missile, the M1, in 2026 under Project Kusha, a cornerstone of the ambitious Mission Sudarshan Chakra (MSC) announced by Prime Minister Modi, The Times of India has reported.

The initiative aims to build a multi-layered air and missile defence shield by 2035, providing protection to strategic installations as well as key civilian areas across the country.

The M1 interceptor will have a 150-km range and is designed to counter incoming enemy aircraft, stealth fighters, cruise missiles, drones, and precision-guided munitions. It will be followed by the M2 missile, with a 250-km range in 2027, and the M3, capable of striking targets up to 350 km, in 2028.

DRDO sources indicate that Project Kusha’s goal is to complete development of these three long-range surface-to-air missiles (LR-SAMs) by 2028, paving the way for their induction from 2030 onwards.

The first step toward the MSC shield came earlier this month with DRDO’s maiden test of an integrated air defence weapon system, combining quick-reaction SAMs (30-km range), very short-range air defence missiles (6-km range), and a 30-kilowatt laser-based directed energy weapon.

The broader MSC framework will also integrate India’s two-tier ballistic missile defence (BMD), capable of intercepting missiles with ranges up to 2,000 km inside and outside the atmosphere, alongside advanced long-range systems to neutralise potential nuclear-capable threats.

Officials say the real challenge will be the seamless integration of these technologies to achieve a reliable, high-performance shield.