Successful IADWS Test: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on Independence Day about a big new missile defence plan called Sudarshan Chakra, it sounded like a dream for the future. But within ten days that dream has already started turning into reality. On Saturday, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, better known as DRDO, carried out the very first flight tests of a brand-new system called the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System, or IADWS, at the Odisha coast.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh quickly reacted to this success. He wrote, “I congratulate DRDO, India Armed Forces and Industry for successful development of IADWS. This unique flight test has established the multi-layered air-defence capability of our country and is going to strengthen area defence for important facilities against enemy aerial threats.”
Maiden flight Tests of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) was successfully conducted on 23 Aug 2025 at around 1230 Hrs off the coast of Odisha.
IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising of all indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM),… pic.twitter.com/Jp3v1vEtJp
— DRDO (@DRDO_India) August 24, 2025
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What is IADWS?
IADWS is not just one missile or one gun. It is a whole network of radars, weapons, and command centres that all work together to stop enemy threats from the sky. Countries like the United States use systems like Patriot and THAAD, Russia uses the S-400, and Israel has the Iron Dome. Now India has started to build its ow version.
During the test in Odisha, all parts of the weapon system worked perfectly. The Ministry of Defence said that the missile launchers, radars, communication systems, and even the drone-killing equipment did their job as planned. Data was checked using instruments at Chandipur’s Integrated Test Range, and everything matched.
Inthe test three different targets were used. Two were high-speed unmanned aircraft and one was a multi-copter drone. Each target was handled by a different weapon layer of the IADWS. The Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile, called QRSAM, took on one, reported News18. The Very Short Range Air Defence System, or VSHORADS, handled another. And the Directed Energy Weapon, a high-power laser, took care of the drone.
How the Shield Works?
At the centre of the whole defence system is something called the Centralised Command and Control Centre, or C2C2. This centre gathers radar feeds and optical sensor data to make a full real-time picture of the sky. With that picture, the system can decide which weapon will be best for the threat. It looks at the speedthe height, and the direction of the target and then assigns the right weapon.
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.
IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising of all indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air… pic.twitter.com/TCfTJ4SfSS
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 24, 2025
Sources explained that by bringing together missile interceptors and laser weapons under the command system, the IADWS can fight both normal threats like enemy fighter jets and cruise missiles, and also newer dangers like swarms of drones or loitering weapons. This means India can counter many different types of attacks using just one layered system.
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Three Layers Of Protection
The first layer is the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile, or QRSAM. DRDO designed it for speed and mobility. that can sits on high-mobility platforms and can protect army formations from air attacks. It can strike enemy planes, helicopters, missiles, or bombs at ranges up to 30 km and altitudes of around 10 km. It uses two special radars, the Active Array Battery Surveillance Radar and the Active Array Multifunction Radar. Both can scan 360 degrees and keep tracking even while moving.
The second layer is the Very Short Range Air Defence System, or VSHORADS. This is a portable missile that soldiers can carry and fire. It covers targets within 6 km and at altitudes up to 4 km. It can hit drones, helicopters, and even low-flying planes. A Defence Ministry official said this missile is “technically superior to existing MANPADS in the Indian Armed Forces because it has a state-of-the-art uncooled imaging infrared seeker.”
The third and final layer is the Directed Energy Weapon, known as DEW. This is a powerful laser developed by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences. In tests earlier this year, the DEW MK-II(A) destroyed drones and damaged UAV structures. Unlike a missile, this laser does not run out of ammunition. It can keep firing again and again, which makes it very useful against groups of drones or loitering weapons that come in large numbers.
Why does this IADWS Success test Redefines India’s Defence?
The successful trial proved that all three systems can work together to defend an area within 30 km against many types of threats. A DRDO scientist told reporters that this first test was done at shorter ranges but it “paves the way for use of the system at higher ranges” and should be seen as “a stepping stone towards Mission Sudarshan Chakra.”
A former DRDO head described the achievement as a “strategic leap in India’s indigenous defence capability.” He explained that the test showed smooth teamwork between missiles and lasers. He added that this not only strengthens India’s air defence but also reduces the need to buy such systems from foreign countries.
In the future, this system will protect not only forward military bases and radar stations but also very important national facilities like nuclear plants, power stations, and even space installations.
