Telangana CM assures support to BrahMos Aerospace for its expansion
The Foundation of Supersonic Excellence
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, a specialist in Aeronautical Engineering, is one of the most distinguished scientists and statesman who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. His humility and dedication to public service has inspired millions of people and admirers around the world. Affectionately called the ‘People's President’ Dr. Kalam was a man of enduring greatness.
Dr. Kalam made significant contributions as Project Director of India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle programme SLV-III placing the 'Rohini' orbit successfully in near earth orbit in July 1980 which made India an exclusive member of the Space Club. He was responsible for the development of configuration for future launch vehicles. After working for two decades in ISRO, Dr. Kalam took up the responsibility of developing indigenous guided missiles at DRDO. He headed the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) at DRDL. He successfully led the development and operationalisation of AGNI and PRITHVI Missiles and build indigenous capability in critical technologies through networking of multiple institutions. For his pioneering work, Dr. Kalam is known as the ‘Missile Man of India’.
Dr. Kalam also played a pivotal role in India's Peaceful Nuclear Explosions (PNE) Pokhran-II (Operation Shakti) in May 1998. As Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development, he envisioned the concept of joint partnership which led to the formation of BrahMos Aerospace between India and Russia. This unique cooperation was conceived and implemented for combining the core competence of both countries for realizing a high technology product, the state-of-the-art supersonic cruise missile system, BRAHMOS.
Dr. Kalam has been conferred with India's coveted civilian awards: Padma Bhushan (1981); Padma Vibhushan (1990); and the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna (1997). He was actively involved in several societal missions for the upliftment of poor and physically challenged and passionately engaged with youths.
In his literary pursuit, Dr. Kalam has penned many books including Wings of Fire, India 2020 – A Vision for the New Millennium, Ignited Minds – Unleashing the Power within India, Envisioning an Empowered Nation: Technology for Societal Transformation.
Dr. A Sivathanu Pillai
Dr. Apathukatha Sivathanu Pillai, former Chief Controller (R&D), DRDO is the Founder CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace. An electrical engineer from Madras University and management expert from Harvard Business School, he has contributed in India's major space research programmes along with Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. Satish Dhawan and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. During his tenure at ISRO, he was a core team member of the SLV III project. Dr. Pillai joined DRDO in 1986 and was the Programme Director of IGMDP under the leadership of Dr. Kalam.
His most important contribution has been the development of critical technologies using a network of academic institutions, R&D laboratories, and industries through an innovative consortium approach and technology empowerment. Dr. Pillai evolved the unique concept of the most successful joint venture BrahMos, which paved the way for formidable BRAHMOS - a world leader in the family of cruise missiles. He has been the prime force behind the Joint Venture from the Indian side right from its initial days, advocating the "Mind to Market" concept for the JV.
Dr. Pillai is the author of many technical papers and has written many books. Some of his publications are - Thoughts For Change - We Can Do It and Envisioning an Empowered Nation co-authored with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. He has also written Technology Leadership - A Revolution in the Making, Ocean Warfare - The Technology Waves, 40 Years with Abdul Kalam and The Path Unexplored - Success Mantra of BrahMos.
A Fellow of the National Academy of Engineering and a member of many other professional bodies, Dr. Pillai has been awarded the 'Padma Bhushan' and 'Padma Shri' by the Government of India, The Order of Friendship and the Order of Peter the Great awards from Government of Russian Federation. He has also earned several other honours for his invaluable contribution in the field of science & technology.
Dr. Herbert Alexandrovich Yefremov
Dr. Herbert Alexandrovich Yefremov, a Design Engineer and Professor of Technical Sciences, headed the Joint Stock Company MIC NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM), Russia, as Director General and Designer General from 1989 to 2007 and held the position of Honorary Director General and Designer General from 2007. He graduated from Leningrad Military Mechanical Institute with specialisation in instrument-making. During his illustrious career of more than 50 years in NPOM, Dr. Yefremov was avidly involved in the design and development of various technologies related to space, cruise and ballistic missiles. He was instrumental in establishing military and technical cooperation involving other nations. Along with former President of India, late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Dr. Yefremov became one of the founders of the Indo-Russian Joint Venture BrahMos Aerospace.
Dr. Yefremov, an outstanding designer of missiles and spacecraft, was bestowed ‘Hero of Socialist Labour’ and the ‘Order of Lenin’ (1963). He was honoured with: ‘Lenin Prize’ (1982), State Prize of the USSR (1974), Prize of the Russian Federation Government (2002), State Prize of the Russian Federation named ‘Marshal GK Zhukov’ and the ‘Order of third degree’ for services to the Fatherland (2003), ‘Hero of Labour of the Russian Federation’ (2017), ‘Order of Labour Red Banner’ (1971), ‘Order of Honor’ (1959).
Dr. HA Yefremov is also a recipient of 'Padma Bhushan' (2003) awarded by the Government of India for his outstanding contributions in the formation of BrahMos. He was holder of more than 80 inventor's certificates, author of multiple research works on special subjects: ‘A Small Planet of Solar System’ registered in the international catalogue was named ‘Herbefremov’ in his honour.
Alexander Georgievich Leonov
Alexander Georgievich Leonov, Design Engineer and Doctor of Technical Sciences, currently serving as the Director General and Designer General of Russia’s JSC MIC NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM). He is also head of SM-2 Aerospace Systems, Chair of Bauman Moscow State Technical University since 2011. Dr. Leonov graduated from Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) specialising in ‘Aircraft.’
The eminent Dr. Leonov played a pivotal role in fostering military and technical cooperation between NPOM and foreign partners. His expertise was instrumental in the preparation, finalisation, and signing of key organisational documents, including directives from the Russian President and the Inter-Governmental Agreement between India and Russia. As a result of his significant contributions the foundation for the Joint Venture BrahMos Aerospace was established. Since 2007 he serves as the Direector General and Desiner General of NPOM, providing critical leadership to the Joint Venture. His efforts have ensured continued success of BrahMos related activities in Russia.
Dr. Leonov is a distinguished recipient of ‘Hero of Labour of the Russian Federation’ (2019), a ‘Laureate of the Russian Federation Government Prize’ (2002). He is ‘Honoured Machine Builder’ of the Russian Federation (2003) and holder of the ‘Order of Honour’ (2022) and several medals.