DRDO Successfully Carries Out Maiden Flight Test of Indigenous IADWS Air Defence System

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out the maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) on 23 August 2025 at around 12:30 hrs, off the coast of Odisha.

The IADWS is an advanced, multi-layered air defence system designed to strengthen India's air defence capabilities. It integrates three key components: the indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), the Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles, and a high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).

The successful test demonstrates India's progress in developing cutting-edge, indigenous defence technologies that combine missile-based and directed-energy interception systems to counter aerial threats across multiple ranges.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended his congratulations to DRDO, the Indian Armed Forces, and the defence industry for their pivotal role in the successful development and testing of IADWS.