India Successfully Tests Indigenous Multi-Layered Air Defence System
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight test of its new Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha. The indigenously developed system is multi-layered, comprising Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles (QRSAM), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles, and a high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW). This test marks a significant milestone in enhancing India's air defence capabilities against a wide range of aerial threats.
Unpacked:
QRSAM is designed to intercept and destroy fast-moving aerial threats such as fighter jets, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cruise missiles within a range of 25-30 km and at altitudes up to 10 km.
The IADWS introduces a multi-layered approach, combining QRSAM, VSHORADS, and laser-based DEW, offering rapid response and protection against a broader spectrum of aerial threats compared to earlier single-tier missile systems.
Indigenous development of IADWS and its components like QRSAM reduces reliance on foreign suppliers, strengthens India’s defence manufacturing, and aligns with the ‘Make in India’ initiative to boost self-reliance in critical military technologies.
A Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) uses focused energy, such as high-power lasers, to disable or destroy aerial targets. In the IADWS, DEW adds a layer for neutralizing threats like drones or missiles at close range, supplementing conventional missile defences.