India, July 24 -- India on Thursday conducted the maiden test of the locally made Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept aerial threats at distances up to 350 km, a significant capability that will strengthen the country's air defence network once the weapon is inducted into service, officials aware of the development said.

The missile system is capable of engaging threats across the 150-350 km range band, and is expected to be deployed in three to four years, the officials said asking not to be named.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the test against an electronic target simulating a high-speed, high-altitude aerial threat which the missile system successfully intercepted,...