On August 23rd, Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO), India’s premier defence research institute has achieved a new milestone by successfully testing the indigenously developed Integrated Air Defence Weapon System(IADWS). This heralds a new chapter in the defence indigenization programme of India and has boosted the offensive-defensive capabilities of the nation. IADWS was successfully tested at 12:30PM, off the coast of Odisha.
“Maiden flight tests of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System(IADWS) was successfully conducted 23 Aug, 2025 at around 1230hrs off the coast of Odisha”, DRDO confirmed on its X platform.
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
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the accomplishments of DRDO and congratulated the achievements of DRDO, Indian Armed Forces and the defence industry for the successful development of the IADWS. He also asserted that the novel defence technology will give India a shield and strategic edge against enemy aerial threats. “I congratulate DRDO, Indian Armed Forces and Industry for the 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”, Defence Minister wrote on his X platform.
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
Integrated Air Defence Weapon System: A solid shield against aerial threats
The Integrated Air Defence Weapon System is completely an indigenous air defence system that renders protection against enemy aerial threats in an integrated and coordinated fashion at multiple levels. It can simultaneously target and intercept multiple aerial threats at different horizons including low-flying drones to high-speed fighter aircrafts and missiles, thus has high and swift operational effectiveness.
As a multi-layered air defence system, DRDO’s IADWS has three components encompassed with cutting-edge indigenous technologies:
- QRSAM: Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile
- VSHORADS: Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System
- DEW: Directed Energy Weapon, which is high-power laser based and capable of high precision targeting
The successful flight testing of the IADWS marks an another major feat in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in the defence domain. Post Operation Sindoor the swiftness with which India’s defence industry is seeking self-reliance has been remarkable. During the Operation against Pakistan, India’s indigenous defence technologies such as BrahMos missile systems, Akash NG-a surface to air missile, Nagastra- loitering munition played a pivotal role in securing the military and civilian spaces of the country. The latest achievement of the DRDO by successfully testing the IADWS has further strengthened the offensive and defensive capabilities of India and has boosted the military morale & strategic autonomy of the country.
Infact to further amplify the national security apparatus of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech launched ‘Mission Sudarshana Chakra’, as a comprehensive shield to protect the critical and strategic assets of the country including religious places, hospitals, railway stations during combat situation. These visionary defence policies and crafting stellar indigenous defence technologies mirrors government’s unparalleled resolve to nourish the strategic autonomy, territorial integrity and national security of the country in the coming decades.
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