Some DRDO seniors resist PM's essential reform push

A powerful group in the DRDO believes that these changes could weaken their hold over the institution.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA

Hectic parleys and lobbying have begun for the post of the chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), whose existing chairman, Samir V. Kamat will retire on 31 May, unless he is given an extension.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) decides on the appointment of the chief of the DRDO.

With the country going through Lok Sabha elections, the last phase of which is scheduled for 1 June and the results for 4 June, it is to be seen whether a new appointment is made on or before 31 May or Kamat is asked to continue to lead the organisation temporarily till the ACC decides on a new name or gives him a full extension as has happened earlier in the case of Directorate of Enforcement and Research and Analysis Wing among others.

Those in line to succeed him include his colleagues, B.K. Das who is presently the Director General (Electronics & Communication Systems); Dr Suma Varughese, leading the Micro Electronic Devices, Computational Systems and Cyber Systems division; and Dr Ummalaneni Raja Babu who is the head of the Missiles and Strategic Systems division.

Of the three, Das holds the most senior position. The three are scheduled to retire in August, January and April 2026, respectively. Sources say that the possibility of Kamat getting an extension post 31 May is not ruled out.

Various individuals, including former chiefs of DRDO, retired secretaries, individuals who deal in the sale and purchase of arms and advanced weaponry, who claim to have got the eyes and ears of the offices who will decide on who the new DRDO chief will be post 31 May, are pushing for their respective candidates.