Context:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the first flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), a key project under Mission Sudarshan Chakra. This marks a significant step towards India’s goal of developing an indigenous, multi-layered air defence shield.
Mission Sudarshan Chakra:
- Launched on the 79th Independence Day.
- Aims to build an indigenous Iron Dome-like air defence system by 2035.
- Focused on protecting critical civil and defence infrastructure with rapid, precise counterstrike capabilities.
Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS):
What it is?
- A multi-layered, network-centric air defence system developed by DRDO under Project Sudarshan Chakra.
- Integrates Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), and Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) into a unified command system.
- Developed by: Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
Aim
- To provide comprehensive protection for military and critical national assets: airbases, radar sites, command centres, nuclear and space installations, power plants.
- To counter modern aerial threats including high-speed aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, swarm UAVs, and loitering munitions.
How it Works?
- Centralised Command & Control Centre (C2C2):
- Integrates radar and electro-optical sensor feeds to generate a real-time air picture.
- Threat Allocation:
- Based on speed, altitude, and trajectory, C2C2 assigns the most effective weapon for engagement.
- QRSAM (Outer Layer):
- Engages fast jets, helicopters, and cruise missiles at 25–30 km range, up to 10 km altitude.
- VSHORADS (Middle Layer):
- Infrared-seeker based; effective against low-flying UAVs and helicopters within 6 km range, 4 km altitude.
- Directed Energy Weapon (Inner Layer):
- High-power laser neutralises drones and loitering munitions at close range; cost-effective with virtually unlimited firing capacity.
Key Features
- Indigenous design with advanced radars, sensors, and communication systems.
- Multi-layered shield combining kinetic interceptors (missiles) and non-kinetic weapons (laser).
- Real-time coordination enables tracking and engagement of multiple targets simultaneously.
- Rapid reaction & mobility for deployment in forward areas.
- Provides area defence for high-value facilities against diverse aerial threats.
