Balasore: The maiden flight tests of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) was carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) off Odisha coast at 12.30 pm on Saturday.
The system is designed to counter a wide spectrum of aerial threats.
Taking to his X handle, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday informed that the IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM), Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles and a high power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).
“I congratulate DRDO, India Armed forces and Industry for successful development of IADWS. This unique flight test has established the multi-layered air-defence capability of our country and is going to strengthen area defence for important facilities against enemy aerial threats,” he added.
During the flight-tests, three different targets including two high-speed fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicle targets and a multi-copter drone were simultaneously engaged and destroyed completely by the QRSAM, VSHORADS and high energy laser weapon system at different ranges and altitudes. “All the weapon system components including the missile systems and drone detection & destruction system, weapon system command & control along with communication and radars, performed flawlessly which was confirmed by Range instruments deployed by Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, to capture the flight data,” a PIB release said.
The test was witnessed by senior scientists from DRDO and representatives from the Armed Forces.
This successful test follows another milestone in the missile programme when on August 20 India successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable Agni-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile from Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha. “The intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-5 was successfully test-fired from Chandipur on August 20. The launch validated all operational and technical parameters and was conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
The Agni-5 is a variant of India’s indigenously developed intercontinental ballistic missile.
