India has successfully tested a new, multi-layered integrated air defence system, shooting down three different targets at various altitudes and ranges off the coast of Odisha. The test, conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is a major step toward fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a powerful national air defence shield.
The new system, known as the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), is composed of multiple components working together, including Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAM), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), and a laser-based directed energy weapon. The defense ministry confirmed that during the test, two high-speed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a multi-copter drone were simultaneously engaged and destroyed by these various weapons. The test’s success was confirmed by data from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, which showed that the weapon systems, including the command and control systems, radars, and communication links, all performed flawlessly.
The test comes shortly after Prime Minister Modi announced “Mission Sudarshan Chakra” during his Independence Day speech. This new initiative aims to create a formidable, indigenous military capability to defend India’s military and civilian installations against aerial threats within the next 10 years. Modi described the future shield as a “powerful weapon system that will not only neutralize the enemy’s attack but also hit back with overwhelming force.”
India is now one of a few countries—including the US, Russia, China, the UK, Germany, and Israel—that possess the technology to disable missiles, drones, and smaller projectiles with a laser weapon. This capability was previously demonstrated in April when India successfully tested a locally produced laser weapon that could knock out fixed-wing drones and swarm drones at long ranges.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the successful test, stating that it “established the multi-layered air-defence capability of our country and is going to strengthen area defence for important facilities against enemy aerial threats.”
This latest development follows the successful use of India’s air defence control system, “Akashteer,” during Operation Sindoor, the direct military action against Pakistan in May. During the four-day conflict, the agile Akashteer system, an integral part of the Indian Air Force’s air defence grid, played a crucial role in detecting and tracking multiple waves of Pakistani aerial attacks, including missiles and drones.
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SEO Title: India Tests New Integrated Air Defence System as Part of ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’
SEO Subheader: The DRDO successfully tested a multi-layered air defence system off the coast of Odisha, a key step in Prime Minister Modi’s 10-year plan to build an indigenous national security shield.