Lions Of Punjab
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Wrong to say DRDO took long to deliver, says father of BrahMos - The Times of India
CHANDIGARH: The impression that Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has failed to deliver or delayed major defence technology projects is not correct, says former CEO of BrahMos Aerospace A Sivathanu Pillai. Distinguished scientist Pillai, who retired from the post of chief controller R&D, DRDO in July last year, however, plainly refused to answer whether he thought the sacking of DRDO chief Avinash Chander was wrong.
Considered father of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Pillai defended DRDO, saying that since there was no real technology transfer to India and the organization had to do everything from scratch, it would be wrong to say that it took too long to deliver. On the other hand, Pillai supported PM Narendra Modi-led government's ideas regarding FDI in defence manufacturing and even restructuring the DRDO.
"There are four major main milestones of DRDO: indigenous naval technologies, sonar system, radars and missile technology. However, DRDO is required to work on everything from cyber warfare to survival support technology. We have taken as much time as other countries," Pillai said.
Pillai was talking to TOI on the sidelines of inauguration of the Centre for Strategy, Sustainability and Society, set up by LM Thapar School of Management in Dera Bassi. The Padma Bhushan recipient also refused to answer questions about controversy over his extension at DRDO when then Union defence minister A K Anthony had to intervene to ensure he would continue at his post. He was superseded by Vijay Saraswat, chief controller (missiles & strategic systems), two years his junior, to the top post of DRDO. Chander followed Saraswat to become the director general of DRDO and was co-chairman of BrahMos Aerospace during the time when Pillai was CEO and MD of the Indo-Russia JV
CHANDIGARH: The impression that Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has failed to deliver or delayed major defence technology projects is not correct, says former CEO of BrahMos Aerospace A Sivathanu Pillai. Distinguished scientist Pillai, who retired from the post of chief controller R&D, DRDO in July last year, however, plainly refused to answer whether he thought the sacking of DRDO chief Avinash Chander was wrong.
Considered father of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Pillai defended DRDO, saying that since there was no real technology transfer to India and the organization had to do everything from scratch, it would be wrong to say that it took too long to deliver. On the other hand, Pillai supported PM Narendra Modi-led government's ideas regarding FDI in defence manufacturing and even restructuring the DRDO.
"There are four major main milestones of DRDO: indigenous naval technologies, sonar system, radars and missile technology. However, DRDO is required to work on everything from cyber warfare to survival support technology. We have taken as much time as other countries," Pillai said.
Pillai was talking to TOI on the sidelines of inauguration of the Centre for Strategy, Sustainability and Society, set up by LM Thapar School of Management in Dera Bassi. The Padma Bhushan recipient also refused to answer questions about controversy over his extension at DRDO when then Union defence minister A K Anthony had to intervene to ensure he would continue at his post. He was superseded by Vijay Saraswat, chief controller (missiles & strategic systems), two years his junior, to the top post of DRDO. Chander followed Saraswat to become the director general of DRDO and was co-chairman of BrahMos Aerospace during the time when Pillai was CEO and MD of the Indo-Russia JV
