Published on 19 Nov 2025
India recently conducted the maiden flight test of its all-indigenous Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha.
It is a multi-layered, network-centric air defence system developed by DRDO under Project Sudarshan Chakra which aims to provide comprehensive protection for military and national assets and to counter modern aerial threats from high-speed aircraft and cruise missiles to drones, swarm UAVs, and loitering munitions.
It integrates Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), and Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) into a unified command system.
At centre, there is a Centralised Command and Control Centre (C2C2), which integrates radar and electro-optical sensor feeds, generating a real-time air picture.
Based on target speed, altitude, and trajectory, C2C2 assigns the most effective weapon:
QRSAM (outer layer): Engages fast jets, helicopters, and cruise missiles at 25–30 km range, ~10 km altitude.
VSHORADS (middle layer): Infrared-seeker based, effective against low-flying UAVs/helis within 6 km range, 4 km altitude.
Directed Energy Weapon (inner layer): High-power laser neutralises drones and loitering munitions at close range; cost-effective with unlimited firing capacity.
Note: Project Sudarshan Chakra is India's proposed integrated, multi-layered air and missile defense system, designed to protect the nation and its assets from aerial threats like drones and missiles by combining advanced surveillance, cyber protection, and layered physical defenses.
India’s Indigenous Integrated Air Defence Weapon System
IADWS
Defence
DRDO
Project Sudarshan Chakra
Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile
QRSAM
Very Short-Range Air Defence System
VSHORADS
Directed Energy Weapon
DEW
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