India has taken another big step to make its defence stronger. The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) on Saturday, August 23, off the coast of Odisha.
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
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the achievement. He said, “I congratulate DRDO, the India 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.”
What is IADWS?
The Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) is a special defence shield that can stop enemy attacks from the air. It brings together three powerful weapons:
- Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) – shoots down enemy aircraft and drones quickly.
- Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) – defends at very close range.
- Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) – a high-power laser that can destroy aerial targets.
This mix of weapons makes the system strong enough to destroy different kinds of threats at different heights and distances.
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Test Details
During the test, the IADWS destroyed three targets at the same time. Among them were one drone and two swift unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). All three were destroyed. Each weapon system did its job — the missiles and the laser worked together at different ranges.
The DRDO made sure all parts of the system worked in sync with the help of a Central Command and Control Centre. This centre manages and controls the weapons smoothly.
Why Is This Important?
This successful test shows that India can now defend important places like cities, airports, and military bases from enemy missiles and drones. The system can handle several threats at once, which makes it very reliable in real war situations.
It also shows how India’s defence industry is growing stronger. The DRDO, armed forces, and Indian companies worked together to build this advanced technology inside the country.
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Future Role
With IADWS, India has a modern shield against air attacks. It will help protect the nation from drones, missiles, and aircraft in the future. The system will be crucial to the security of strategic sites and important defenses.
