Noted scientist Samir Kamat was appointed the new chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). G. Satheesh Reddy, the incumbent DRDO chief, has been made the scientific adviser to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
"Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the appointment of Samir V. Kamat, Distinguished Scientist and Director General, Naval Systems & Materials as Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman, Defence Research Development Organisation from the date of his assumption of charge till he attains the age of 60 years or until further orders, whichever is earlier," ACC said in its order.
Kamat was heading the Naval Systems & Materials at Vishakhapatnam. A graduate in Metallurgical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur in 1985, Kamat secured a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the Ohio State University in 1988.
Quoting officials, ANI reported that the new appointment will help in the new reforms like making defence research more industry-friendly and helping the smaller and medium industries to grow in manufacturing.