India's Defence Milestone: Successful Flight Tests of Integrated Air Defence System

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has marked a significant milestone by successfully conducting the first flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS). Announced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, this multi-layered system is designed to counter various aerial threats and integrates indigenous technologies. The successful tests, conducted off the coast of Odisha, follow closely on the heels of another achievement with the Agni-5 missile test. This development underscores India's commitment to enhancing its defence capabilities and ensuring national security.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 24, 2025, 10:32 IST

Significant Achievement in Air Defence

New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the first flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), as announced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday.

These tests took place at 12:30 PM on Saturday, August 23, off the coast of Odisha.

Rajnath Singh shared the news on X, stating, "IADWS is a comprehensive air defence system that includes 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)."

The Defence Minister praised the DRDO, Armed Forces, and the defence sector, stating, "This remarkable flight test has confirmed our nation's multi-layered air defence capability and will enhance the protection of critical facilities from aerial threats."

The IADWS is engineered to address a broad range of aerial threats.

This system integrates radar, launchers, targeting and guidance systems, missiles, and command-and-control units to ensure comprehensive air defence.

Developed domestically, it combines various defence layers, including QRSAM, VSHORADS, and DEW, to safeguard strategic assets.

This successful test follows another significant achievement in India's missile program.

On August 20, the nuclear-capable Agni-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile was successfully launched from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed, "The Agni-5 missile was successfully test-fired from Chandipur on August 20, validating all operational and technical parameters under the Strategic Forces Command's oversight."

The Agni-5 is a variant of India's homegrown intercontinental ballistic missile.

While it has traditionally been reported to have a strike range exceeding 5,000 km, defence officials have indicated that an upgraded version with an extended range of up to 7,500 km is currently in development by DRDO.

These successful tests further showcase India's advancing defence capabilities and its ability to design and develop sophisticated weapon systems to bolster national security.