India Conducts Maiden Test of Indigenous Integrated Air Defence Weapon System

India on Saturday successfully conducted the maiden flight test of its Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced on Sunday.

The test, carried out around 12:30 pm on August 23, marks a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of a fully indigenous, multi-layered air defence shield capable of protecting critical assets against a wide spectrum of aerial threats.

The IADWS is designed as a multi-tiered defence solution, integrating a range of cutting-edge capabilities to counter threats from fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cruise missiles, and precision-guided munitions. Its architecture combines:

• Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM): For medium-range interception.
• Advanced Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS): For close-range engagements.
• Directed Energy Weapon (DEW): A high-power laser system for futuristic interception of low-flying targets.

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 achievement, congratulating DRDO, the Indian Armed Forces, and industry partners.

“This unique flight test has established the multi-layered air defence capability of our country and will strengthen area defence of vital facilities against enemy aerial threats,” he posted on X.

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

The breakthrough comes soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day announcement of “Mission Sudarshan Chakra”, an ambitious programme to build an indigenous air defence network inspired by Lord Krishna’s mythological weapon.

The test underscores India’s push for self-reliance in critical defence technologies and its determination to counter evolving threats from adversaries such as China and Pakistan without relying on imports.

Team BharatShakti