Syllabus:

GS3: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Context: Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the Odisha coast. 

More on the News 

• It marks a step towards developing a homegrown nationwide security shield against multidomain enemy attacks under Mission Sudarshan Chakra by 2035.

• At present, India boasts three S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems developed by Russia. 

Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) 

• IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising all indigenous components developed by the DRDO under Mission Sudarshan Chakra.

• Integrated operation of all the weapon system components is controlled by a Centralised Command and Control Centre developed by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory, being the nodal laboratory of the programme. 

• All weapon system components, including missile and drone defence systems, command and control, communication, and radars, performed flawlessly, as confirmed by Integrated Test Range instruments.

Components of IADWS

• Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System (QRSAM): It is a Short-Range Surface to Air Missile system designed to protect moving armoured columns from aerial attacks. 

• The weapon system, mounted on highly mobile platforms, provides on-the-move air defence with an operational range of 3 to 30 kilometers. 

• Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS): It is a fourth-generation, technically advanced miniaturised Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD), developed by the Research Centre Imarat.

• The weapon system can neutralise targets between the range of 300 meters and 6 kilometers, including drones and other classes of aerial threats.
• The missile system can meet the needs of all three branches of the Armed Forces.

• Directed Energy Weapon (DEW): The military system, developed by Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), has a range of under 3 km that uses focused light beams to disable targets like drones and missiles at the speed of light.

• These DEWs provide cost-effective, rapid defence against threats like drone swarms, reducing reliance on costly ammunition and minimising collateral damage.

Sources:

The Hindu
The Economic Times
The Indian Express