Why in news?
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha.

About

• The IADWS is an indigenous multi-layered air defence system developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It integrates three main components: 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).
• This system provides a comprehensive protective shield against multiple aerial threats including fighters, helicopters, drones, and missiles across different ranges and altitudes.

Components and Capabilities of IADWS

• QRSAM: A short-range surface-to-air missile system with a range of 3 to 30 km, designed to protect moving armoured columns from enemy aerial attacks. It includes automated command and control, and radars with 360-degree coverage and "search on move" capability.
• VSHORADS: A fourth-generation miniaturized man-portable air defence system effective at ranges between 300 meters and 6 km. It targets drones and various aerial threats and is deployable across Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• DEW (Directed Energy Weapon): A high-power laser weapon with a range of less than 3 km designed to disable or destroy drones and small remotely-piloted aircraft by causing structural damage or sensor disruption.

Operational Control and Strategic Advantage

• The entire IADWS is controlled by a Centralised Command and Control Centre developed by DRDO's Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad, enabling coordinated, real-time defence operations.
• The maiden test, conducted off the coast of Odisha in August 2025, successfully engaged and destroyed three different aerial targets simultaneously at different ranges and altitudes.
• IADWS contributes to strengthening India’s multi-layered air defence network, enhancing area defence for critical facilities and augmenting the national security shield being developed under Mission Sudarshan Chakra, with a vision to complete by 2035.

Advantages of IADWS over existing air defense capabilities:
 
Multi-Layered Defence
IADWS integrates three different types of weapons—Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAM), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles, and a laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW)—creating a comprehensive shield that neutralizes a wide spectrum of aerial threats from high-speed fighter jets and cruise missiles to low-speed drones and loitering munitions within 3 to 30 km range.
 
Faster and Coordinated Response
The system is controlled by a Centralised Command and Control Centre that enables real-time coordination among its components, allowing simultaneous engagement of multiple targets at different ranges and altitudes with high precision. This integration bolsters response time and interception effectiveness beyond what standalone missile systems offer.
 
Homegrown Technology and Self-Reliance
All components of the IADWS are indigenously developed by DRDO and associated labs. This reduces dependency on foreign systems, enhances technological sovereignty, and supports India's defence self-reliance, which is crucial for strategic autonomy in critical defence areas.
 
Versatility and Mobility
The system's components are mobile and configured for deployment with the Army, Navy, and Air Force. VSHORADS is man-portable enhancing flexible defence options, while the QRSAM provides protection for moving armored units. The laser DEW offers a cost-effective, virtually unlimited firing capacity for close-range defence against swarming drones and other UAVs.
 
Strategic Integration with Mission Sudarshan Chakra
IADWS is a foundational step towards Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a future multi-layered, networked defence shield designed to protect the nation’s borders and critical infrastructure comprehensively. The system's integration with existing air command and control systems promises an enhanced and resilient national air defence network.
 
The IADWS elevates India's air defence by combining diversified weapon technologies into a unified, responsive, and indigenously developed shield, offering faster interception, broader threat coverage, and strategic autonomy compared to India's current air defence setups.

Download Pdf