Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 24: In a major stride toward enhancing national security, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), marking a significant advancement in India’s homegrown defence technology. The test was carried out at 12:30 p.m. on August 23 off the coast of Odisha, and the achievement was publicly announced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh the following day.
Hailing the successful test, Singh posted on X, “IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising all indigenous components — the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM), Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles, and a high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).” He congratulated DRDO, the Armed Forces, and India’s defence industry, saying the system will significantly bolster the country's ability to defend critical infrastructure against aerial threats.
The IADWS combines cutting-edge radar, guidance, and targeting systems with advanced missile and laser weapon technologies to deliver a fully integrated, layered defence mechanism. Designed to detect, track, and neutralize a range of threats — from aircraft and drones to cruise missiles — the system represents a new era in indigenous air defence architecture, replacing dependence on foreign platforms with homegrown innovation.
This latest breakthrough follows closely behind the successful test-firing of the Agni-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile on August 20 from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha. Conducted under the Strategic Forces Command, the launch validated all mission parameters and reaffirmed the readiness of India’s nuclear delivery systems.
The Agni-5, developed entirely in India, has a reported strike range exceeding 5,000 km, with defence officials confirming that a longer-range variant — potentially extending up to 7,500 km — is in advanced stages of development. This enhanced version aims to provide broader strategic deterrence and increased flexibility in mission planning.
Together, the IADWS and Agni-5 tests underscore India’s rapid evolution in defence self-reliance, aligning with the goals of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative. As India continues to expand its defence capabilities across multiple domains — from space to ballistic missile systems — these successful demonstrations reaffirm its position as a rising technological and strategic power on the global stage.