THE MAN, THE MISSION: DRDO's top scientist Dr Prahlada is a man of few words and more action. Photo: t-arch-2010
By Anantha Krishnan M. | Aviation Week
By Anantha Krishnan M. | Aviation Week
Bangalore, India | June 04, 2010
India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is in a rejuvenation mode, following the Ministry of Defense (MoD) in giving itself a much-needed facelift. When reforms are implemented, they promise to make DRDO a vibrant organization. With missile expert Dr. V.K. Saraswat at the helm, DRDO has executed many visible actions so far this year. Amidst the makeovers and intense media scrutiny, Dr. Prahlada, Chief Controller R&D (Aeronautical & Services Interaction), DRDO, has been working hard to ensure that DRDO becomes resourceful and dynamic. AVIATION WEEK caught up with Dr. Prahlada to get a feel for the DRDO of tomorrow as part of its India Thought Leaders (ITL) series.AW: You are among the few who have seen DRDO for close to 40 years. Do you think the ongoing reforms will make the DRDO any better?
P: Yes it will. I am confident. We need to perform and deliver on time. Quality is the key along with perfection and technological competence. Accountability and responsibility becomes more vital in the new scheme of things. Not that these weren’t there. Just that we needed some course corrections. We will give our scientists more freedom to innovate, more freedom to research. Newer ideas and out-of-the-box-solutions will become [the] order of the day. The new school of thought balances between current and future programs.
