**Summary:**
On August 23, 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under the Ministry of Defence, successfully conducted maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha at approximately 1230 hrs. The IADWS is an indigenously developed, multi-layered air defence system consisting of 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).
The integrated operation of the system is managed by a Centralised Command and Control Centre developed by the Defence Research Development Laboratory. The VSHORADS and DEW were developed by Research Centre Imarat and Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences, respectively.
During the tests, three targets—two high-speed fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and a multicopter drone—were simultaneously engaged and destroyed by the QRSAM, VSHORADS, and High Energy Laser weapon system at varying ranges and altitudes. The performance of all weapon system components, including missile systems, drone detection/destruction system, command and control, communication, and radar systems, was reported as flawless, as confirmed by range instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.
Senior DRDO scientists and representatives from the Armed Forces witnessed the test. The Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) Shri Rajnath Singh commended the DRDO, Armed Forces, and industry partners for the successful development of the IADWS, stating that the tests established the nation's multi-layered air defence capability and will enhance area defence for critical infrastructure against aerial threats. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr. Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams involved.
Key Entities Referenced
Integrated Air Defence Weapon System: A multilayered air defence system IADWS developed by DRDO.
Defence Research and Development Organisation: DRDO, the organization that conducted the flighttests of IADWS.
Odisha: The state off the coast of which the IADWS flighttests were conducted.
Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles: QRSAM, an indigenous component of the IADWS.
Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System: VSHORADS, another indigenous missile system component of IADWS.
Directed Energy Weapon: DEW, a high-power laserbased weapon and component of IADWS.
Rajnath Singh: Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) who complimented DRDO, Armed forces and the Industry for successful development of IADWS.
Samir V Kamat: Chairman DRDO, who congratulated all teams involved in the successful flighttests.
Ministry of Defence
DRDO successfully conducts maiden flight-tests of
Integrated Air Defence Weapon System
Posted On: 24 AUG 2025 10:19AM by PIB Delhi
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden
flight-tests of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha at around
1230 hrs on August 23, 2025. IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising all
indigenous 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).
Integrated operation of all the weapon system components is controlled by a Centralised Command and
Control Centre developed by Defence Research & Development Laboratory being nodal laboratory of the
programme. VSHORADS and DEW are developed by Research Centre Imarat & 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. 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 test was
witnessed by senior scientists from DRDO and representatives from the Armed Forces.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, Armed forces and the Industry for successful
development of IADWS. He stated that this unique flight-tests has established the multi-layered air-defence
capability of the country and is going to strengthen area defence for important facilities against enemy aerial
threats.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat has congratulated all teams
involved in the successful flight-tests.
***
VK/SR/Savvy(Release ID: 2160257)