DRDO Chief receives prestigious American award for missile technology development

The globally renowned American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has conferred DRDO Chief G Satheesh Reddy with the prestigious Missile Systems Award 2019 for his leadership role in the Indian missile programmes.

The award recognizes excellence in developing or implementing missile systems technology, including significant technological accomplishments or for inspired leadership of missile systems programs, AIAA announced in a press release.

"Reddy was selected for his over three decades of significant national contributions toward indigenous design, development, and deployment of diversified strategic and tactical missile systems, guided weapons, advanced avionics, and navigation technologies in India," the society stated.

Before being appointed as the DRDO Chief, Reddy was heading the entire Missiles division of the DRDO, including programmes such as strategic nuclear missiles of the Agni series.

The DRDO Chief has also been credited for the development of tactical missile systems such as the Quick reaction surface-to-air missile, man portable anti-tank guided missile and the HELINA and NAG anti-tank weapons.

He has also played important role in the development of Akash air defence systems which helped in saving foreign exchange, as a couple of projects to buy air defence systems from foreign vendors were scrapped after its development.