India’s new air shield just lit up the sky. 🇮🇳
DRDO has successfully conducted the maiden flight-tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) at ~1230 hrs on 23 Aug 2025 off the Odisha coast, validating a multi-layered, indigenous shield for our skies.
What was… pic.twitter.com/upriOYHScr
— IndianArmy in Jammu & Kashmir (Fan Page) (@IndianArmyinJK) August 24, 2025
New Delhi: In a major boost to India’s defence preparedness, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Saturday successfully conducted the maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha.
The test, carried out around 12:30 pm, showcased a multi-layered indigenous air defence shield that integrates the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) and a laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).
DRDO successfully conducted maiden flight-tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off Odisha coast today. The all-indigenous system integrates QRSAM, VSHORADS & a Laser-based DEW, engaging & destroying 3 aerial targets simultaneously. Raksha Mantri Shri… pic.twitter.com/LAH5wqACth
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) August 24, 2025
The IADWS, controlled by a Centralised Command and Control Centre developed by DRDL, demonstrated its capability by destroying three aerial targets — including two high-speed UAVs and a multi-copter drone — at varying ranges and altitudes. Officials confirmed that all subsystems, including radars, communication links and drone-detection units, performed flawlessly.
DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat also lauded the teams behind the project, calling the success a defining step towards self-reliant advanced air defence.
Congratulating DRDO and the Armed Forces, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the test as a “unique milestone” that firmly establishes India’s ability to counter enemy aerial threats and protect vital installations. “This system strengthens our multi-layered air-defence capability,” 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 achievement cements India’s growing edge in next-generation air defence systems and underscores its commitment to indigenous defence technology development.
