In a major boost to India’s defence capabilities, 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 at around 12:30 pm on August 23, 2025.
The IADWS is a multi-layered indigenous air defence system, bringing together 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). These are controlled by a Centralised Command and Control Centre, developed by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL). The VSHORADS was developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), while the DEW system was designed by the Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS).
During the tests, the system successfully engaged and destroyed three different aerial targets—including two high-speed fixed-wing UAVs and a multi-copter drone—at varying ranges and altitudes. The flawless performance of missile systems, laser weapons, radars, and the command-and-control network was validated by instruments deployed at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.
The successful demonstration was witnessed by senior DRDO scientists and representatives from the Armed Forces.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the achievement, stating that the tests have “established the multi-layered air defence capability of the country and will significantly strengthen area defence of critical facilities against enemy aerial threats.”
Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, congratulated all the teams involved in the successful trials.
