Project Kusha, also known as the Extended Range Air Defence System (ERADS), is a critical initiative to develop a mobile long-range surface-to-air missile capability for the Indian Armed Forces. The project was formally cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security in May 2022 to bolster India's multi-layered air defence network. It is designed to complement existing systems like the S-400 and Barak 8, providing indigenous depth to national security. The Ministry of Defence granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) in September 2023 for the procurement of five squadrons at an estimated cost of 21,700 crore rupees.