New Delhi: Renowned scientist G Satheesh Reddy was on Saturday appointed chairman of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), according to an official order. Reddy is the scientific adviser to the defence minister. He has been appointed for a period of two years. He will also be secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development (DoDRD) for the same period, an order issued by Personnel Ministry said.
The post of DRDO chief was lying vacant for the past three months after S Christopher completed his term in May this year. Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra was then given additional charge of DRDO. Christopher was given a one-year extension in May last year, and his extended term ended on May 28. He was in May 2015 appointed director general of the DRDO for a two-year term. Christopher was then working as distinguished scientist and programme director (airborne early warning and control system) and director, Centre for Air-Borne Systems in the DRDO.
Established in 1980, the DoDRD advises the government on scientific aspects of military equipment and logistics and the formulation of research, design and development plans for the equipment required by the three services — the Army, Navy and the Air Force.