India tests missile and laser air defense systems to counter Pakistani aerial threats.

According to information published by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on August 24, 2025, India successfully carried out the maiden flight trials of its Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) at approximately 12:30 p.m. off the coast of Odisha. The test marks a decisive breakthrough in India’s development of a fully indigenous multi-layered air defence architecture designed to neutralize a wide spectrum of aerial threats including hostile aircraft, drones, cruise missiles and precision-guided munitions.
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India’s Integrated Air Defence Weapon System combines fast missiles and powerful lasers to protect the country from enemy aircraft, drones and precision weapons, creating a layered shield over vital areas (Picture source: Indian Ministry of Defence).

The IADWS brings together three core elements into a unified defensive umbrella. The Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile provides coverage against aerial targets up to 30 kilometres, mounted on high-mobility launchers and armed with a powerful fragmentation warhead designed for fast, manoeuvring aircraft. At shorter ranges, the Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System offers portable missile protection against helicopters, drones and low-flying strike platforms. The most innovative feature is the high-power laser Directed Energy Weapon, able to destroy drones and loitering munitions with almost limitless firing potential.

Integrated operation of these components is managed by a Centralised Command and Control Centre developed by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory. The VSHORADS system was designed by the Research Centre Imarat, while the laser weapon originated at the Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences. This centralised node coordinates radars, communications, tracking and firing solutions to ensure seamless threat detection and engagement across multiple layers.

During the first flight tests, IADWS successfully engaged three different targets, including two high-speed fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles and a multi-copter drone, striking them at varying altitudes and ranges. Each target was destroyed by a different weapon layer, with QRSAM, VSHORADS and the high-energy laser system all performing flawlessly. Instrumentation from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur confirmed every engagement and validated the system’s coordination, command and control functions.

The trial was closely observed by senior DRDO scientists as well as representatives from the Indian Armed Forces, highlighting the operational significance of this milestone. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the teams involved, emphasizing that the test demonstrated India’s ability to field a truly multi-layered air defence capability. He added that IADWS will significantly enhance protection of critical infrastructure and high-value military assets against evolving aerial threats. DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat also praised the achievement, underlining the role of Indian industry in the system’s development.

IADWS provides commanders with a flexible, layered shield. QRSAM ensures mobile protection of advancing armoured columns and rapid response against hostile aircraft, while VSHORADS secures the close airspace around forward bases or troop concentrations. The directed energy weapon fills the gap against swarming drones and low-cost precision weapons, delivering instant engagements at minimal cost per shot. Together, these layers form a dynamic defensive grid that can adapt to different scenarios ranging from conventional air attacks to asymmetric drone incursions.

The timing of the test adds a strategic dimension. Just months earlier, India and Pakistan were engaged in their most serious confrontation since Balakot, following a major terrorist attack in Kashmir. Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strikes in May 2025, triggered four days of cross-border clashes marked by missile launches, drone battles and artillery duels. Pakistan responded with airspace closures and reinforced its missile forces under a newly created Army Rocket Force Command. Against this volatile backdrop, India’s unveiling of IADWS signals a strong commitment to securing its skies through indigenous technology and ensuring resilience against next-generation aerial threats.

The maiden flight tests have validated the integrated design and effectiveness of the system, but further evaluations will expand on multi-target coordination, extended endurance and real-world operational scenarios. Once these milestones are achieved, IADWS will progress toward limited production and gradual induction into the Indian Armed Forces, potentially reshaping the region’s air defence balance.