The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Sunday, August 23, 2025, successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) at 12:30 PM off the coast of Odisha.
According to DRDO, the IADWS is a fully indigenous, multi-layered air defence system that integrates:
- Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAMs)
- Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles
- A high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Armed Forces, and the Indian defence industry, calling the test a landmark in India’s defence preparedness.
“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,” Singh posted on X.
The maiden test validates India’s ability to neutralise aerial threats across multiple ranges, combining missile defence with next-generation directed energy technologies.
The breakthrough comes just three days after India successfully test-fired the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Agni-5 from ITR Chandipur, Odisha on August 20, 2025, under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command, validating all operational and technical parameters.
