New Delhi, Aug 24(HS): In a major boost to India’s defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Saturday successfully carried out the maiden flight-tests of the indigenously developed Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha.

The multi-layered system combines Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAMs), Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles, and a high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), providing a comprehensive shield against diverse aerial threats.

The integrated operation was overseen by a Centralised Command and Control Centre, designed by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory, while VSHORADS and the laser-DEW have been developed by the Research Centre Imarat and the Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences respectively.

During the test, the system successfully neutralised three aerial targets — including two high-speed fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles and a multi-copter drone — using the QRSAM, VSHORADS and the laser-based DEW operating at different ranges and altitudes. Radar, communication networks and command & control systems functioned seamlessly, with performance verified by range instruments at Chandipur’s Integrated Test Range.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement, calling it a landmark milestone in strengthening India’s multi-layered air defence shield capable of safeguarding high-value assets against enemy aerial threats. He congratulated the DRDO, the armed forces and India’s defence industry for their role in pioneering the system.

DRDO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, Dr Samir V. Kamat also lauded the team, stressing that the successful demonstration marks a leap forward in India’s ability to integrate diverse defensive technologies into a unified, operationally ready platform.

The successful trials of IADWS are expected to significantly enhance India’s aerial threat-response capability and underscore the growing maturity of indigenous defence R&D.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar