Race for DRDO top spot in its final lap

Radar specialist S Christopher has emerged as the frontrunner to take over as the next chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Radar specialist S Christopher has emerged as the frontrunner to take over as the next chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

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Christopher heads the Bengaluru-based Centre for Airborne Systems and heads the project to develop airborne early warning and control systems.

The post has been vacant since January 31 when the government terminated then chief Avinash Chander’s contract.

G Satheesh Reddy, who heads the Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat, and Anil Datar, chief of Pune-based Armament and Combat Engineering cluster, were also in the running. The government will appoint a scientific advisor to the defence minister after the DRDO vacancy is taken care. Both roles were being essayed by the DRDO chief so far.