According to officials, India has achieved a major milestone in enhancing the nation’s defence readiness with the successful completion of the first flight tests of its domestically produced Integrated Air defence Weapon System (IADWS). On August 23, 2025, at approximately 12.30 p.m., the test was conducted off the coast of Odisha.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh shared the achievement in a post 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. I congratulate DRDO, India Armed Forces and Industry for successful development of IADWS.”
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) also shared a video on X, of the successful test. The organisation wrote, “Maiden flight Tests of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) was successfully conducted 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 Missile (QRSAM), Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles and a high power laser based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).”
The IADWS is a multi-layered defence shield that combines three state-of-the-art indigenous technologies: a high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), the Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles, and the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM). When combined, these systems can destroy a variety of airborne threats, from enemy aircraft and missiles moving at high speeds to low-flying drones.
The successful trial was hailed by officials as a turning point in India’s defence technology self-reliance ambitions. In addition to strengthening area defence for critical facilities against enemy aircraft threats, Singh stated that the tests had “established the multi-layered air-defence capability of our country.”