TSAMTO, August 27. The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of the Indian Ministry of Defense conducted the first test of a new integrated air defense system (IADWS), the Indian military announced on August 24.
The Ministry of Defense announced that the system consists of three integrated nationally developed systems, including the QRSAM (quick-reaction surface-to-air missile) mobile air defense system, the VSHORADS (Very Short Range Air Defense System) portable air defense system, and the laser-based directed energy weapon system (DEW).
As stated, during the tests conducted on August 23 at the ITR (Integrated Test Range) in Chadinpur off the coast of Odisha, the IADWS system "simultaneously fired at and completely destroyed" three UAVs (two of them high-speed aircraft type and one multicopter). at different ranges and heights. All three integrated IADWS systems were managed from the new Command and Control Center developed by the DRDO Defense Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL).
According to the Indian Ministry of Defense, all components of the weapon system, including detection and destruction equipment, weapon control systems, as well as communication systems, functioned without failures. The effectiveness of the IADWS during the tests was confirmed by data obtained using tracking devices installed at the landfill.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the new IADWS will create a layered Indian air defense system and strengthen the protection of important facilities from enemy air threats.
The claimed range of the QRSAM air defense system is 25-30 km, VSHORADS is about 6 km. The characteristics of the laser weapon system were not disclosed.
The QRSAM missiles, which are manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), are 4.4 m long, 0.225 m in diameter, and 270 kg in weight. The missile is equipped with a single-stage solid-fuel rocket engine and a fragmentation warhead with ready-made striking elements. The SAM allows you to simultaneously hit six targets.
The production of VSHORADS is carried out as part of a partnership between DRDO and the Indian Adani group. The missile is equipped with a thermal imaging seeker and a warhead with ready-made striking elements weighing 2 kg.
The IADWS system contains elements common to the Raksha Kavach layered multi-domain defense system proposed by DRDO, which also includes QRSAM and VSHORADS.
The Raksha Kavach also includes detection equipment, an advanced 155 mm/52 towed howitzer (ATAGS) from Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), the Dharashakti ground-based electronic warfare (EWS) system, and a classified laser weapon system. The model of the system was presented at the Aero India 2025 exhibition.
The four-day conflict between India and Pakistan has probably forced the Indian Ministry of Defense to accelerate work in the field of missile defense. After the conflict ended on May 10, the Indian Defense Ministry announced several new contracts and trials aimed at developing or acquiring air defense systems, tactical vehicles, radars and armored vehicles.
