Dr Avinash Chander has been appointed as the new Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, and Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). “I feel honoured to take up this new responsibility. Dr Saraswat has set DRDO on a good course, I have to continue and take it to the next level,” said Chander.

Dr Chander is an eminent missile scientist and the chief architect of the long-range ballistic missile system Agni. He envisioned and evolved the strategies for long-range missiles and led the design and development of Agni series of missile systems – Agni A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 providing cutting edge, decisive strategic weapon systems to the armed forces, leading to the successful development of the nation’s pride, 5000-km range Agni-V strategic weapon system propelling India to join the elite club of five advanced nations. Development of Agni range of missiles in highly restrictive International Control Regimes was possible only out of his technology forecast, perspective planning and relentless efforts. He created the infrastructure, industry base, production lines, and integration facilities to produce different classes of Agni missile systems. Today, the Agni A1, A2, A3 missiles occupy the pride of place in the inventories of the Indian armed forces.

His pioneering research in the “Innovative Energy Management Guidance Scheme” has enabled utilisation of Solid Propulsion, the main thrust and the backbone of long-range missiles system. Under his leadership, DRDO carried out extensive research and indigenously developed the critical technologies such as composite rocket motors, re-entry carbon composite heat shield, advanced high accuracy navigation systems, flex nozzle control system, high-end real-time computing techniques. His long-term expertise has been providing the necessary thrust for the Programmes of National importance such as underwater missiles, BrahMos cruise missiles, Nag, air defence systems, etc. He laid the technology roadmap for missile complex laboratories and led the R&D in the advanced navigation systems, onboard computers, servo valves and seekers.

Avinash Chander had joined DRDO in 1972 after completing graduation in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi. He obtained M.S. in Spatial Information Technology from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad. He is a Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineers, Fellow of Systems Society of India, Fellow of Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences and Vice-President of Astronautical Society of India.

The distinguished scientist has received numerous awards and honours including DRDO Scientist of the Year, Astronautical Society of India Rocketry and related Technologies Award, Dr Biren Roy Space Science and Design Award, Agni Self-reliance Award, Path Breaking Research/Outstanding Technology Development Award, Outstanding Technologist Award by Punjab Technical University, Technology Leadership Award, Distinguished Alumnus Award of IIT, Delhi.