DRDO Conducts Maiden Flight Tests of Indigenous Integrated Air Defence Weapon System
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Institutions: Ministry of Defence
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 23 August 2025. The IADWS is a multi-layered air defence platform incorporating indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles (QRSAM), Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles, and a high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).
All weapon components were integrated via a centralised Command and Control Centre developed by DRDOβs Defence Research & Development Laboratory. VSHORADS and the DEW were developed by the Research Centre Imarat and the Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences, respectively. During testing, three targets, two high-speed fixed-wing UAVs and one multi-copter drone were simultaneously detected and engaged across varied altitudes and ranges by the QRSAM, VSHORADS, and the laser system. All elements, including missile systems, drone detection capability, command and control, communications, and radar systems, performed flawlessly, as confirmed by the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur.
Relevant question for policy stakeholders: What are the strategic, technological, and institutional challenges India faces in indigenously developing and deploying integrated air defence systems, and how can such systems strengthen national security and self-reliance in defence manufacturing?
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https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2160257