Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday defended the unexplained sacking of top missile scientist and Defence Research and Development Organisation chief Avinash Chander, 15 months before the end of his tenure in May 2016.

"I believe DRDO should be headed by a younger man," Parrikar said, adding, "I had proposed for his removal and they have agreed to it." "My contention is simple. Such a senior post should not be held by somebody on contract," the Defence Minister said.

Meanwhile, sources in the Prime Minister's Office also denied any "ulterior motive" in Chander's removal and said they acted upon the recommendation of the Defence Ministry, which wanted a new and younger head for the DRDO.

The government on Tuesday evening removed Chander with the Appointments Committee of Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi "approving the termination" of his contract with effect from January 31, an official notification said.

Interestingly, Chander who was Secretary, Defence Research and Development cum Director General, DRDO and Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, had retired on November 30 last year on attaining 64 years of age and was given a contract for 18 months till May 31 next year.

Analysts believe that the action could have been taken against the backdrop of Modi's comment that the 'laid back' attitude in the DRDO will not be tolerated that he made during a visit to the Bangalore facility last year.