Former DRDO Chief VS Arunachalam Passes Away

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoles the passing away of former DRDO director general VS Arunachalam, saying his demise has left a major void in the scientific community and the strategic world. Arunachalam died in the US on Wednesday16 August.

He was former scientific adviser to the defence minister under five prime ministers and also founder-chairman of the Bengaluru-based think tank Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP).

Arunachalam's distinguished career spanned across Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), National Aeronautical Laboratory, and Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory.

About Defence Research and Development Organisation 

• DRDO is the R&D wing of Ministry of Defence, Govt of India, with a vision to empower India with cutting-edge defence technologies and a mission to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies and systems, while equipping our armed forces with state-of-the-art weapon systems and equipment in accordance with requirements laid down by the three Services. 

• DRDO was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the then already functioning Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO). DRDO was then a small organisation with 10 establishments or laboratories.

• DRDO's pursuit of self-reliance and successful indigenous development and production of strategic systems and platforms such as Agni and Prithvi series of missiles; light combat aircraft, Tejas; multi-barrel rocket launcher, Pinaka; air defence system, Akash; a wide range of radars and electronic warfare systems; etc., have given quantum jump to India's military might, generating effective deterrence and providing crucial leverage.

• Dr. Samir V Kamat is the incumbent Secretary DDR&D and Chairman Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).