Satheesh Reddy appointed chairman of DRDO

The appointments committee of the cabinet today announced the grant of approval for the appointment of Reddy as the new chief of defence R&D.

Satheesh Reddy has made significant contributions to indigenous design, development, deployment of diversified missiles and strategic systems, guided weapons, avionics technologies and for sustained efforts in advancement of aerospace technologies and industries in India.

He graduated in electronics and communication engineering from JNTU, Anantapur and received his MS and Ph.D from JNTU Hyderabad. He joined DRDL, Hyderabad in the year 1986 and subsequently joined Research Centre Imarat (RCI), the brain child of Dr Abdul Kalam, after its formation. From a young navigation scientist and system manager he rose steadily and after his multiple significant appointments and decades of sustained contributions to defence R&D, was elevated as Distinguished Scientist in September 2014 and was appointed scientific adviser to defence minister in May 2015.

As advisor to defence minister, Reddy significantly contributed towards the formulation of many national policies and was pivotal in evolving roadmap for self-sufficiency in missiles. As director general, Missiles and Strategic Systems (DG, MSS), he spearheaded Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex Laboratories - ASL, DRDL and RCI, ITR, TBRL and other technical facilities. He led the design and development of a wide range of tactical and strategic missile systems to attain complete self-sufficiency in missiles and initiated many new projects to equip armed forces with state-of-the-art weapons and technologies. He invigorated the BMD programme and developed the mission critical technologies for Long Range Agni-5 missile. As director, RCI, he led many programmes and projects and steered the development of indigenous RF and IIR Seekers. As programme director, successfully developed the Medium Range SAMs and achieved a streak of successes in the maiden missions. As project director, developed the country’s first 1000 kg class guided bomb and laid foundation for Long Range Smart Guided Weapons. He is a renowned navigation expert and as project director and technology director, steered the design and development of indigenous Inertial sensors, SatNav receivers, advanced Inertial Navigation Systems for a variety of defence applications, including the ship navigation.

He holds the distinction of being inducted as Fellow of Royal Institute of Navigation (FRIN), London, Royal Aeronautical Society, UK (FRAeS) and Foreign Member of the Academy of Navigation and Motion Control, Russia. He is an Honorary Fellow of CSI and project management association of India, Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering, IET (UK), Associate Fellow of American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, USA and many other Academies/scientific bodies in the country and abroad.

Satheesh received several prestigious international and national awards, which includes the Indian Science Congress Association Homi J Bhabha Memorial Gold Medal, National Aeronautical Prize, National Design Award, National Systems Gold Medal, the first IEI-IEEE (USA) joint award for Engineering Excellence and was conferred with the Silver Medal of Royal Aeronautical Society, London. He is also a recipient of Dr Biren Roy Space Science Design Award, Astronautical Society of India Rocketry & Related technologies Award and has been conferred with Honorary Degrees of Doctor of Science by many leading Universities in the country.