DRDO successfully tests indigenous air defense system – ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’ gets new strength by 2035
India has taken another historic step towards its strategic and defense capabilities. The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) conducted a successful flight test of the Integrated Air Defense Weapon System (IADWS) offfifth-generationfifth-generation ,., the Odisha coast at around 12:30 pm on Sunday. This achievement is not just a technological breakthrough, but a decisive progress towards achieving the goals of “Mission Sudarshan Chakra” announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day by 2035.
Mission Sudarshan Chakra: New Defense Vision of Self-reliant India
Prime Minister Modi recently announced “Mission Sudarshan Chakra” in his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort. The objective of this mission is to provide India with a multi-layered, multi-domain, and fully indigenous defense shield.
Under this shield, air defense systems, cyber security networks, space-based surveillance systems, and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered command and control systems will work in an integrated manner.
You can consider it as India’s future all-around security circle, which will protect not only the battlefield but also strategic bases, military bases, big cities, and important industries.
What is IADWS?
The Integrated Air Defense Weapon System (IADWS) has been developed by DRDO with completely indigenous technology. It includes a multi-layered defense capability so that any enemy air attack can be stopped at different levels of distance and altitude.
This system has mainly three weapon components:
1. QRSAM – Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile.
Its specialty is that it can track and destroy enemy aircraft or missiles in a very short time.
2. VSHORADS – Very Short Range Air Defense System.
It protects soldiers and small bases from enemy helicopters, drones, and low-flying aircraft.
3. High Power Laser-Based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW)
This is a future technology in which energy beams (lasers) are used to destroy a target, not a missile or ammunition.
Achievement of a successful test
During this test, three different targets were targeted –
Two high-speed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
A multi-copter drone
These targets were targeted simultaneously at different distances and altitudes and were destroyed by QRSAM, VSHORADS, and DEW.
According to the Ministry of Defense, all the weapon system components worked flawlessly as directed by the Integrated Command and Control Center. The test was confirmed from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha, where flight data was recorded by special equipment.
Who developed which component?
Centralised Command and Control Centre – Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL)
VSHORADS System – Research Centre Imarat (RCI)
DEW (Laser Weapon) – Centre for High Energy Systems and Science (CHESS)
All these laboratories have jointly developed the IADWS.
India’s existing air defence system and its need
India is already equipped with several advanced air defence systems. These include:
S-400 Triumph – State-of-the-art long-range air defence system procured from Russia.
Barak-8 (MRSAM) – Medium-range missile system jointly developed by India and Israel.
Akash Missile System – Fully indigenous surface-to-air missile.
During the recent Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army and Air Force successfully intercepted missiles and drones launched by Pakistan. Coordination of all these systems was seen at that time.
But now India intends to create an integrated and multi-layered “smart air defense grid” by bringing these different systems on a single network. IADWS is the first concrete step in that direction.
Mission Sudarshan Chakra and the target of 2035
By 2035, India aims to:
Have a fully indigenous air defense shield.
Every important establishment, such as nuclear plants, defense manufacturing units, Parliament, big cities, and airbases, all get an integrated security shield.
Safety should be ensured from missile threats, drone attacks, and cyber attacks.
Laser weapons and artificial intelligence should be made prominent for future battlefields.
Role of the private sector and industry
The ministry believes that private sector companies, startups, and the defense industry will have active participation in making this project successful.
Sensor and radar manufacturing
Cybersecurity software
Drone and UAV technology
Components of a laser weapon system
Private companies will work together with DRDO in all these areas.
Integration with the Army and the Air Force
In the future, IADWS will be integrated with the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) and the Army’s Akashteer Project. This will provide integrated air defense cover to all three forces.
Political and Strategic Importance
India is located in a geopolitical environment where it constantly faces air threats from neighboring countries like China and Pakistan.
China is already a major threat to the airspace of India.
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