India Successfully Tests Integrated Air Defence Weapon System: Multi-Layered Shield With Missiles And Laser Weapon Validated

India has carried out the first flight tests of its homegrown Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), a development seen as a major step in boosting national defence readiness.

The trial took place on 23 August, at around 12.30 pm, off the Odisha coast.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the achievement in a post on X, stating, “The @DRDO_India has successfully conducted the maiden flight Tests of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), on 23 Aug 2025 at around 1230 Hrs off the coast of Odisha. I congratulate DRDO, India Armed Forces and Industry for successful development of IADWS.”

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) also shared a video of the successful test on X.

IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising of all indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM), Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles and a high power laser based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).

The IADWS is designed as a multi-layered defence shield, combining three cutting-edge indigenous technologies: the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), the Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles, and a high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).

This layered shield enables interception of diverse aerial threats, from small drones to high-speed enemy aircraft and missiles.

In a statement, DRDO said the integrated operation of all the weapon system components is controlled by a Centralised Command and Control Centre developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory being nodal laboratory of the programme.

VSHORADS and DEW are developed by Research Centre Imarat and Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences respectively.

"During the flight-tests, three different targets including two high-speed fixed wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle targets and a multi-copter drone were simultaneously engaged and destroyed completely by the QRSAM, VSHORADS and High Energy Laser weapon system at different ranges and altitudes," the DRDO said.

"All the weapon system components including the missile systems and drone detection & destruction system, weapon system command & control along with communication and radars, performed flawlessly which was confirmed by Range instruments deployed by Integrated Test Range, Chandipur to capture the flight data," the organisation added.

Defence Minister Singh noted that the tests have “established the multi-layered air-defence capability of our country and are going to strengthen area defence for important facilities against enemy aerial threats".

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