Hyderabad: The government on Saturday appointed top missile scientist Dr Gundra Satheesh Reddy (55) as secretary, Department of Defence R&D and chairman, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The DRDO head’s post has been lying vacant for the last three months. Dr Reddy has now been given a tenure of two years.

He is currently the director general, Missiles & Strategic Systems. Till recently he was also holding the post of the scientific adviser to defence minister.

Dr Reddy’s elevation to the top post comes at a time when DRDO is seeking new direction to take on the challenges ahead. Many projects have missed the deadlines and his task is cut out to steady the ship.

He will have to re-infuse the confidence of various project heads and also inspire young scientists to chart the flightpath ahead. A series of lopsided decisions of the past, based on ‘region and bias,’ which dented DRDO may also need a relook now.

Prime minister Narendra Modi and Dr Gundra Satheesh Reddy. File photo

Son of a farmer couple from Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, Dr Reddy will have to probably turn his huge popularity among youngsters to the advantage of DRDO.

“Tough road ahead, but he is a task master. At the Missile Complex, we are sure that he will turn around the face of DRDO. He should be given time. He is not a magician,” says a director of one of the DRDO labs in Hyderabad.

“He has hands-on experience having worked with senior missile scientists including Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, Dr R N Agarwal, Dr V K Saraswat and Dr Avinash Chander. He will have to bring in all his experience to write a new script for the organisation,” says the official.

Focus on desi systems

Speaking to Onmanorama, Dr Reddy said he will give priority to home-grown systems.

“Our aim will be to develop all critical systems within the country. I have seen from very close quarters how my seniors, especially Dr Kalam, has strived hard to make India self-reliant. I have enough mentors to count on,” Dr Reddy said.

When asked about his plans to give a new thrust to the series of delayed programmes, Dr Reddy said: “We will try and find solutions to all problems. As you know, problem-solving is part and parcel of a scientist’s life.”

Dr Reddy has contributed significantly towards indigenous design, development, deployment of many missiles and strategic systems, guided weapons and avionics technologies.

In the last 32 years in DRDO, he is credited for evolving the roadmap for creating self-sufficiency in missiles.

He led the design and development of a wide range of tactical and strategic missile systems and helped to attain complete self-sufficiency. Many new projects were initiated to equip the armed forces with the state-of-the-art weapons and technologies.

Missile mind

“The Agni team remembers him for having developed the INS (Inertial Navigation System) and Prithvi for improving its accuracy. Similarly, his contributions have come in areas of inertial sensors, satellite navigation receivers for many defence applications as well,” says an official.

Dr Reddy invigorated the Ballistic Missile Defence programme and developed the mission critical technologies for Agni-5 missile.

His elevation has brought cheer to House of Kalam in Rameswaram.

“We hope young scientists and engineers will be benefited from this appointment. After Dr Kalam’s demise, the interactions scientists used to have with youngsters have reduced. Hope Missile Man Jr (Dr Reddy) will follow the footsteps of his mentor,” says Dr Nazeema Maraikayar, niece of former president and chairperson of Kalam International Foundation.

She hoped that Dr Reddy initiates the process for the second phase of the National Memorial which was established at Dr Kalam’s resting place.

Dr Kota Harinarayana, aerospace don said Dr Reddy has been elevated to the top job in DRDO for his contribution in developing critical sensors and for providing leadership in various technology initiatives.

“He is a man known for bringing teams together for addressing complex system development matters and finding solutions. In aerospace, the faster the technologies you build, faster the solutions you will find. I feel he is the right choice to bring science and technology organisations together in the country,” Dr Kota said.