V. K. Saraswat

Vijay Kumar Saraswat is an Indian scientist and the chief scientific advisor to the Indian Defence Minister.^[1]

Saraswat is the key scientist in the development of the Prithvi missile and its introduction in the armed forces. He is a recipient of the Padma Shri from the government of India.^[2]

Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, has been appointed SA to RM, DG DRDO, Secretary Defence R&D w.e.f. 1st Sep 2009.

Early Life

Born in 1949, he started his career in DRDO in 1972 with development of India's first Liquid Propulsion Engine, DEVIL. An MTech from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, he obtained a Doctorate in Propulsion Engineering from Osmania University. He established facilities for design, production and testing of engines and the RCS technologies for the missile applications.

As Project Director, he steered the design, development, production and induction of first indigenous surface-to-surface missile system Prithvi into the Armed Forces. The successful testing of missile on-board a moving ship with very Dhanush high terminal accuracy brought new dimensions in the national defence scenario.

Dr. Saraswat, a Ph.D in Combustion Engineering, started his career in DRDO in 1972 at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad and was responsible for the development of country’s first Liquid Propulsion Engine. As Project Director ‘Prithvi’’, he steered the design, development, production and induction of the first indigenous Surface-to-Surface missile system into the armed forces. The successful testing of ‘Dhanush’ missile on board a moving ship with high terminal accuracy brought a new dimension in the national defence capability. As Program Director AD (Air Defence), Dr. Saraswat pioneered the concept of theatre defence system and integration of national Air Defence elements. He was Director, Research Centre Imarat (RCI) before taking over as CCR&D(MSS) in November, 2005.

Under the able leadership of Dr Saraswat, India has embarked on a challenging, futuristic Air Defence Programme encompassing development of complex anti-ballistic missile systems, radars, C41 systems and integration of battle management resources into a national authority. As Programme Director, he has spearheaded the concept of theatre defence systems and integration of national Air Defence elements. As Director, Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, he conceptualised and established facilities for development of Micro and Nano Sensors for future avionics.

Honors

Dr Saraswat is fellow of National Academy of Engineering, Aeronautical Society of India, Astronautical Society of India, and Institution of Engineers. He is a member of governing council of SAMEER and member of Board of Research of AICTE, CSIR labs, and board of studies of Osmania University. He is Chairman, Combustion Institute (Indian Section), and Aeronautical Society of India (Hyderabad Branch). Dr. Saraswat is a forerunner in the development of number of critical missile technologies that were under denial due to the Missile Technology Control Regime, thus making India self-reliant in Missile Technologies. He has headed various committees of national importance.

Dr Saraswat is the recipient of DRDO Scientist of the Year Award - 1987, National Aeronautical Prize - 1993, DRDO Technology Transfer Award - 1996 and Performance Excellence Award - 1999. For his outstanding contributions to the Nation, he has been conferred with Padma Shri in 1998.

References

1. ^ Ganesh (August 28, 2009). "Dr VK Saraswat to take over as DG of DRDO and SA to Defence Minister". machinist.in. http://machinist.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2296&Itemid=2. Retrieved January 2, 2011. 
2. ^ "Padma Shri Awardees". india.gov.in. http://india.gov.in/myindia/padmashri_awards_list1.php?start=860. Retrieved January 2, 2011. 

Persondata
Name	Saraswat, Vijay Kumar Saraswat
Alternative names
Short description	Key scientist in the development of the Prithvi missile
Date of birth	1949
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death