DRDO conducts maiden flight-tests of Indigenous Integrated Air Defence Weapon System
New Delhi. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Saturday successfully carried out the first flight-tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the Odisha coast, the Defence Ministry stated in a press release on August 24.
The IADWS, developed entirely with indigenous technologies, is a multi-layered air defence system that combines 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). Its operations are coordinated by a Centralised Command and Control Centre developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL). The VSHORADS and DEW subsystems were built by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and the Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), respectively.
During the trials, the system simultaneously detected, tracked and destroyed three different targets – two high-speed fixed-wing UAVs and a multi-copter drone – using the QRSAM, VSHORADS, and laser weapon at varying ranges and altitudes. According to DRDO, all subsystems, including radars, communication, and command-and-control components, performed flawlessly, with test data validated by the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.
The demonstration was witnessed by senior DRDO scientists and representatives of the Armed Forces.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the armed forces, and industry partners, calling the achievement a “significant step” in strengthening India’s layered air defence capabilities.
“This unique test has established our ability to defend vital assets against aerial threats,” he said.
DRDO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, Samir V Kamat also commended the teams involved, praising their role in achieving a milestone in India’s self-reliance in advanced defence technologies.
