After successfully testing the nuclear-capable Agni V missile, the DRDO has also carried out the maiden test flight of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) from the coast of Odisha. The launch is conducted under Mission Sudarshan Chakra, announced by the Prime Minister from Red Fort on India’s 79th Independence Day. The success of IADWS is a major milestone in building a multi-layered defence system for the country. As the name suggests, IADWS is capable of protecting against aerial threats, including fighter jets, Unmanned aerial vehicles, and even missiles.
It is an integration of three systems: the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile for intercepting medium-range threats, the Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System(VSHRODS) for objects close to the surface, and the laser-powered Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) for targets at lower altitudes. The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, announced the news via his X handle, congratulating the DRDO and the Armed forces for the success of the launch. India’s aim to achieve strategic autonomy and decrease its arms imports will be significantly boosted by this launch, and it is also necessary in the face of growing adversaries in the form of Pakistan and China.
The project under Mission Sudarshan Chakra will be expanded to include collaborations between DRDO and the private sector, and will also be integrated with the Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control Systems (IACCS), and further with the Indian Army’s Akashteer system.
It highlights India’s focus on self-reliance in the Defence sector and efforts taken during Operation Sindoor, where indigenous systems were deployed, followed by the IADWS launch and Mission Sudarshan Chakra. We are fast approaching self-sufficiency. In his speech on Independence Day, the Prime Minister also asked private players and domestic companies to manufacture indigenous jet engines. This is especially important as the HAL GE Aerospace Engine partnership and the Kaveri engine projects have been getting delayed since 1989, despite a huge investment of 2,000 crores.
