Odisha: On August 23, 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a key milestone by successfully conducting the maiden flight-tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha. This advanced system showcases India’s prowess in indigenous defence technology and marks a significant step towards self-reliance in multi-layered air defence.
Features and Composition of IADWS
IADWS is a multi-layered defence system comprising three key indigenous components:
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Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAM): Medium-range interception for diverse aerial threats.
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Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS): Close-range air defence missiles for rapid response.
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High-Power Laser-Based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW): Futuristic weapon capable of shooting down low-flying drones and aerial targets.
These components are integrated and managed through a Centralised Command and Control Centre developed by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory, while VSHORADS and DEW were designed by the Research Centre Imarat and Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences, respectively.
Flight-Test Details and Performance
During the tests, three distinct aerial targets—two high-speed fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a multi-copter drone—were simultaneously engaged and destroyed by QRSAM, VSHORADS, and the High Energy Laser system. All systems, including missiles, drone detection and destruction units, command and control, communication, and radars, operated flawlessly, as confirmed by Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.
The successful demonstration of precise, multi-target interception underlines the robust integration of India’s indigenous defence technologies, significantly enhancing the nation’s layered air defence architecture.
Strategic Significance and Leadership Remarks
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh commended DRDO, the Armed Forces, and Indian industry for this accomplishment, emphasizing that the successful tests establish India’s multi-layered air-defence capability and will strengthen area defence for critical installations against enemy aerial threats.
Chairman DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, congratulated the teams and reinforced the organization’s commitment to self-reliance and adoption of cutting-edge technologies in national defence.
This breakthrough aligns with the government’s ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra,’ a multi-layered, networked defence system announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protect India’s borders and strategic assets.
Conclusion
The maiden tests of DRDO’s Integrated Air Defence Weapon System mark a strategic leap in developing India’s indigenous defence shield capable of neutralising diverse aerial threats. With every successful trial and technological innovation, India edges closer to becoming self-reliant in its defence sector, ensuring enhanced security for vital national assets.
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Source: PIB
