India Integrated Air Defence System.
India’s DRDO Successfully Tests Integrated Air Defence System: In a major milestone for India’s indigenous defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out the maiden flight-tests of its Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha. Conducted at approximately 12:30 PM on 23 August 2025, the test marks a significant stride in India’s ability to counter aerial threats using a fully indigenous, multi-layered air defence system.
IADWS represents a leap forward in India’s defence preparedness. It is a comprehensive air defence architecture that combines three key indigenous systems: the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles (QRSAM), the Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), and a cutting-edge high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).
A New Chapter in Air Defence
The test showcased seamless coordination between multiple weapons platforms under the control of a Centralised Command and Control Centre, developed by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), the nodal laboratory for the IADWS programme. The VSHORADS and the high-energy DEW were developed by Research Centre Imarat and the Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences, respectively.
In a complex and high-intensity scenario, the system was tested against three distinct aerial targets: two high-speed fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and a multi-copter drone. Each target was neutralised with precision at varying altitudes and ranges. The QRSAM, VSHORADS, and the High Energy Laser weapon each engaged one target, demonstrating the IADWS’s layered response capability.
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All systems — from missile launch to target detection, engagement, and elimination — performed with remarkable accuracy. Range instruments at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur monitored the mission and confirmed the successful operation of each component, including the communication networks, command and control infrastructure, and radar systems.
Senior DRDO scientists and representatives from the Indian Armed Forces witnessed the test, which has been hailed as a transformative step in bolstering India’s strategic deterrence against hostile aerial incursions.
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Government and Scientific Community Laud the Achievement
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Armed Forces, and the domestic defence industry on the successful test. “This unique flight-test has established the multi-layered air-defence capability of the country,” he said. “It will significantly strengthen the area defence for vital installations against enemy aerial threats.”
Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also commended the teams behind the project. “This successful test is a testament to the collaborative strength of our scientific community and the commitment to indigenous technological advancement,” he stated.
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Strategic Importance and Future Outlook
The IADWS programme is not just a technological milestone but a strategic imperative. As threats from drones, cruise missiles, and other aerial platforms continue to evolve, the ability to neutralise such targets at different ranges and altitudes is critical.
The inclusion of a high-powered laser weapon in the IADWS marks India’s foray into the next generation of warfare — where speed-of-light systems can offer instantaneous responses to threats with minimal logistical footprints. This positions India among a select group of nations experimenting with or deploying directed energy weapons.
The successful test is expected to accelerate the integration of IADWS across key locations and forward bases, especially those considered high-value targets. In doing so, India reinforces its resolve for self-reliance in defence, a cornerstone of the country’s national security and strategic policy.
With this flight-test, India has sent a strong message — one of technological prowess, strategic foresight, and unwavering commitment to defending its skies through indigenous innovation.
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