Eminent Scientist Mr. Ankathi Raju has been appointed as the new Director of the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad — a premier establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Ministry of Defence. He officially assumed charge, marking a new phase of leadership for India’s missile propulsion and systems research.
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Academic Excellence and Technical Foundation
Mr. Raju holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Osmania University College of Engineering, Hyderabad, and a Master of Technology in Aeronautical Engineering (Propulsion) from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. His strong academic background in propulsion technologies has been central to his contributions to India’s missile and aerospace programs.
Three Decades of Contributions to Missile Propulsion Systems
Over his distinguished career spanning more than three decades, Mr. Raju has made remarkable contributions to the design, development, and testing of India’s strategic missile propulsion systems.
He played a pivotal role in the successful demonstration of the Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) propulsion system — a key technology for long-range air-to-air missiles. His leadership in liquid propulsion systems has been integral to several flagship missile projects, including Prithvi, Agni, PAD, PDV, and Mission Shakti.
Mr. Raju has also been instrumental in the design and development of reaction control systems, air defence interceptors, and axial flow compressors, strengthening India’s indigenous missile technology ecosystem.
Leadership at ARDE and Key Defence Innovations
Before his appointment at DRDL, Mr. Raju served as the Director of the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune. Under his leadership, ARDE achieved several breakthroughs, including the Enhanced Rocket System, Guided Pinaka, and the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) — all of which underscore India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Recognitions and Awards
Mr. Raju’s outstanding scientific and managerial contributions have been recognized with the DRDO Agni Award for Excellence in Self-Reliance, a prestigious honour celebrating indigenous defence innovation. He has also received the Best Scientist Award from the Government of Telangana for his exceptional work in the field of missile propulsion and defence research.
Driving India’s Strategic Defence Research Forward
With his appointment as Director of DRDL, Mr. Ankathi Raju is expected to spearhead India’s next generation of missile propulsion technologies and advanced systems. His vision and experience will play a vital role in shaping indigenous capabilities for long-range and precision-guided defence platforms, reinforcing India’s position as a leader in missile development.
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