India Successfully Tests Indigenous Laser-Integrated Air Defense System

Defence affairs - Def-Geopolitics

India has successfully conducted the maiden test of its Integrated Air Defense Weapon System (IADWS), a multi-layered short-range platform that incorporates both conventional missile interceptors and a high-energy laser weapon.

The test, held on August 23 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) off the coast of Odisha, marks a significant milestone in India’s indigenous defense modernization efforts.

Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the IADWS demonstrated its ability to engage and neutralize multiple aerial targets simultaneously. According to official sources, the system successfully intercepted two high-speed fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles and a multi-copter drone using three distinct components: the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), the Very Short Range Air Defense System (VSHORADS), and a newly developed directed-energy weapon (DEW). Officials confirmed that all components operated under a centralized command-and-control framework, with flawless data capture and validation by range instrumentation.

“This test validates India’s capability to integrate kinetic and non-kinetic technologies into a unified air defense architecture,” said a senior DRDO official. “The laser weapon performed within expected parameters, neutralizing a low-altitude drone with precision and zero collateral damage.”

The IADWS is part of a broader national initiative announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at developing a comprehensive indigenous air defense shield by 2035. The system is designed to counter low- and mid-altitude threats including drones, cruise missiles, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft.

With this successful test, India becomes the seventh country to publicly demonstrate laser-based air defense capabilities, joining the ranks of the United States, China, Israel, the United Kingdom, Germany, and South Korea. While India’s DEW currently operates within a limited range, defense analysts suggest future iterations may expand its operational envelope. Unlike Israel’s Iron Beam, which has seen combat deployment, India’s system remains in early validation stages.