Dr. VK Saraswat Chairman of the Combustion Institute (IS)

Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to Ministry of Defence,Director General of DRDO, Secretary Defence R & D New Delhi and a Distinguished Scientist in missile technologies started his career in DRDO with development of India’s first Liquid Propulsion Engine, DEVIL in 1972. A Doctor in Propulsion Engineering, established facilities for design, production & 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 Armed Forces. The successful testing of DHANUSH missile on board a moving ship with very high terminal accuracy brought new dimensions in the national defence scenario. Today, Prithvi Missile occupies a pride place in the inventories of all the three armed forces.

 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, C4I Systems and integration of battle management resources into a national authority. As Programme Director ‘AD’, he has spearheaded the concept of theatre defence systems and integration of national Air Defence elements.

 As Director, Research Centre Imarat, Dr Saraswat conceptualized and established facilities for development of Micro & Nano Sensors for future avionics. With the motto of self-reliance in defence technologies through indigenisation, he established productionisation of many critical technologies with PSUs and industry.

 He is a fellow of many prestigious institutions like National Academy Of Engineering, Aeronautical Society Of India, Astronautical Society of India, Institution of Engineers and authored many research publications in the leading journals. He is a member of governing council of SAMEER and member of board of research of All India Council for Technical Education, CSIR labs and board of studies of Osmania University.   At present, Dr Saraswat is the Chairman of The Combustion Institute (Indian Section) and Chairman of Aeronautical Society of India (Hyderabad Branch).

 Starting with DRDO Scientist of the Year award in 1987, National Aeronautical prize in 1993, DRDO Technology Transfer award in 1996 and Performance Excellence award in 1999, FICCI annual award in 2004-05, he won many national awards.  For his outstanding contributions to the nation, he has been conferred with the award “Padma Shree” in 1998 by President of India.