Recently, the Central Government has appointed Dr. G. Satish Reddy as a member of the National Security Advisory Board. This is a matter of pride for the Telugu people. Recently, the Andhra Pradesh Government has appointed him as Honorary Advisor (Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing Hub) to the State Government with Cabinet rank. For the last 40 years, Dr. Satish Reddy has been working as a scientist in the Indian defence sector.
After former President Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul K. Kalam and renowned technologist Padma Bhushan Dr. V.K. Sarawath, Dr. Satish Reddy is playing a key role in the defence sector in India. The youth of India should take Dr. Satish Reddy as an inspiration for their careers. Dr. Reddy was born in Mahimaluru village in Atmakur mandal of Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. He graduated in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapur. He received his MS & PhD in Navigation specialization from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad.
At the very young age of 22, Satish Reddy joined the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad in 1985, and later joined the Research Centre Imarat (RCI). As Director at RCI, he led the development of integrated avionics modules and other innovative systems. He initially worked as a Navigation Scientist, System Manager, and was appointed as Distinguished Scientist in September 2014. He was appointed as the Scientific Advisor to the Minister of Defence in May 2015. He served as the thirteenth Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from 2018 to 2022 and was promoted to the rank of Indian Space Scientist. He served as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Aeronautical Development Agency. He was the Scientific Advisor to the Indian Defence Minister.
As Director General of Missiles and Strategic Systems, he oversaw the development of the Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme, Nag, Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), Rudram, Long Range Guided Bomb etc. He also oversaw India’s first successful test of the Prithvi Defence Vehicle Mark 2 Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile (Mission Shakti). He was involved in the development of the world’s longest-range gun, the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), anti-radiation missiles, smart airfield weapons, smart bombs and missile assisted torpedo launch systems.
Known for his exceptional expertise in navigation science, Satish Reddy is known for pioneering several technological developments for India’s missile systems. He made significant contributions to the successful flight test of India’s first intercontinental ballistic missile, Agni V (5). He heads the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, the ‘Missile Centre of India’. He also serves as the Program Director of the Imarat Research Centre, the missile complex’s key laboratory, the advanced design centre overseeing the development and delivery of avionics systems for missiles and other applications. It was under his leadership that the development of the medium-range surface-to-air missile programme was successfully achieved, achieving a hat-trick in the first three consecutive missions.
Dr. Satish Reddy has received many awards for his services. Reddy has been selected as a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, London. He has also received other awards such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Missile Systems Award, Aeronautical Prize, National Systems Gold Medal, National Design Award, IEI-IEEE (USA) Engineering Excellence Award and Homi J Bhabha Gold Medal. He was awarded the Asian 100th Scientist Award by Asian Scientist in 2017.
Dr. Satish Reddy has inspired students by attending various programs held at various higher educational institutions as the chief guest. Always preached students to stay focused and committed to their field, think beyond what is now, create new solutions, accept failure as a stepping stone, use skills to serve the society and the country, and always update your knowledge base etc. Students should take his dedication as an inspiration. On this occasion, I would like to share a memorable moment with Dr. Satish Reddy. While attending the tenth anniversary program of Siddharth Engineering College, Puttur as the chief guest, I looked after the welcome and farewell program of Dr. Satish Reddy.
He received 5 consecutive phone calls from scientists regarding experiments, which were 12 km away from the airport to guest house where he stayed. He answered their doubts patiently. This shows that scientists have no rest. In an interview given to a TV channel, he said that for many years he used to go home every night at midnight. So, the youth should get inspiration from such scientists. Let us hope that Dr. Satish Reddy can move to higher positions and inspire the upcoming youth of India.
