After working for two decades in Indian Space Research Organisation and mastering launch vehicle technologies, Dr Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam took up the responsibility of developing indigenous guided missiles at DRDO as the Chief Executive of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
Mainly focusing on research in defence and space arena, he later involved himself in the India's missile programme. His contribution to the ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology earned him the household name of the "Missile Man of India".
The former president was responsible for the development and operationalisation of AGNI and PRITHVI missiles and for building indigenous capability in critical technologies through networking of multiple institutions.
Kalam also gave credit to former prime minister Indira Gandhi for launching the IGMDP which includes the short range surface-to-surface Prithvi, medium and long range surface-to-surface Agni, surface-to-air missiles Trishul and Akash, and anti-tank missile Nag.
Kalam had also revealed in short what diplomacy wouldn't allow: Agni-V, which has a range of over 5500 km, was built with the sole intention of targeting China.
Comments
0 comment