[🇮🇳] What’s India’s desi high-power laser weapon that has even surprised Chinese experts

[Krishna with Flute]

Date of Event: Aug 27, 2025

Source : https://www.msn.com/en-in/entertainment/bollywood/what-s-india-s-desi-high-power-laser-weapon-that-has-even-surprised-chinese-experts/ar-AA1LdNbb?ocid=BingNewsSerp

What’s India’s desi high-power laser weapon that has even surprised Chinese experts

What’s India’s desi high-power laser weapon that has even surprised Chinese experts
India has tested its Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), which includes a high-power laser-based weapon, off the coast of Odisha on Saturday. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) carried out the flight tests around 12.30 pm. Defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday, “The unique flight tests have established the country’s multi-layered air-defence capability. It is going to strengthen area defence for important facilities against enemy aerial threats.”

What India's new multi-layered defence system​

The IADWS is a multi-layered defence system. It brings together quick reaction surface-to-air missiles (QRSAMs), very short-range air defence system (VSHORADS) missiles, and a laser-based directed energy weapon (DEW). The system is controlled by a centralised command and control centre.
The QRSAM is designed to intercept fighters, helicopters, and drones at a range of up to 30 km, while the VSHORADS has a 6 km interception range. The DEW includes lasers of two and ten kilowatts, developed to disable drones and small remotely-piloted aircraft at distances of one to two km.



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During the Saturday test, three different targets, including two high-speed unmanned aerial vehicles and a multi-copter drone, were “simultaneously engaged and destroyed” at different ranges and altitudes. An official said, “All the IADWS components, including the missiles, drone detection & destruction system, weapon system command & control, along with communication and radars, performed flawlessly. This was confirmed by the range instruments deployed by the integrated test range at Chandipur to capture the flight data.”

Why Chinese experts are surprised​

The laser system has drawn global attention, especially in China. Only a few countries— the US, Russia, China, the UK, Germany and Israel — are known to possess such combat-ready laser defence systems.
Wang Ya’nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told China’s state-run Global Times, “Among the three layers of the IADWS, the vehicle-based air defence missile QRSAM and the man-portable air defence system VSHORADS are not technologically novel, but the laser system should indeed be considered a significant advancement.”


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He also said, “The key to such an integrated air defence system lies in having a highly effective information system capable of distributing target data to corresponding weapon components, or the system would merely consist of separate air defence weapons operating independently.”

India's desi air defence system​

The IADWS test came more than three months after Operation Sindoor, when India’s existing air defence network was used to stop multiple waves of drones and missiles launched from Pakistan. A recent report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) noted that China supplied more than 81 per cent of Pakistan’s military hardware.
Referring to laser systems globally, Wang said, “There are only a few countries in the world that have deployed combat-ready laser systems,” and pointed to China’s LW-30 vehicle-based laser weapon. He described it as having “characteristics of light speed engagement, silent attack, continuous operation, flexible and accurate, and a high cost-effectiveness ratio.”

Project Sudarshan Chakra​

In his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a bold plan to build a powerful, all-India “security shield” by 2035 to protect strategic locations, civilian areas, and religious sites. He made it clear that this defence system will be fully developed using indigenous technology, and emphasized that “every citizen must feel protected.” Drawing inspiration from Lord Krishna’s Sudarshan Chakra, he framed the mission as a symbol of strength and self-reliance in India's defence architecture. READ ALSO: India's new high-power laser weapon a 'significant advancement': Chinese military expert
READ ALSO: Sudarshan Chakra air defence system completes successful maiden test
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