New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha. The tests took place on August 23 at approximately 12:30 PM.
IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system featuring fully indigenous components, including the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM), the Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), and a high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).
The integrated operation of these components is managed by a Centralised Command and Control Centre, developed by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), the nodal lab for the programme. While VSHORADS and DEW were developed by the Research Centre Imarat and the Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences respectively, the entire system functions seamlessly under unified control.
During the tests, three targets—a combination of two high-speed fixed-wing UAVs and a multi-copter drone—were simultaneously engaged and successfully neutralised at varying ranges and altitudes using QRSAM, VSHORADS, and the High Energy Laser weapon system. All components, including missile systems, drone detection and neutralisation mechanisms, command and control systems, communications, and radars, performed flawlessly. Range instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, confirmed the precise performance and data capture. Senior DRDO scientists and Armed Forces representatives witnessed the tests.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Armed Forces, and industry partners for the successful development of IADWS. He noted that the flight test demonstrates India’s multi-layered air-defence capability and will bolster area defence for critical facilities against aerial threats.
In a post on X, the Defence Minister said:
“The @DRDO_India has successfully conducted the maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) on 23 Aug 2025 at around 1230 Hrs off the coast of Odisha. IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising all indigenous QRSAM, VSHORADS missiles, and a high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).”
“I congratulate DRDO, the Indian Armed Forces, and industry for the successful development of IADWS. This unique flight test has established the multi-layered air-defence capability of our country and will strengthen area defence for important facilities against enemy aerial threats,” the post added.
Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, also extended congratulations to all teams involved in the successful flight tests.
