Akash Missile System’s Success Sparks Tribute to Kalam’s Legacy
Bengaluru, May 11 — Former DRDO scientist and missile technologist Prahlada Ramarao has called for a renewed focus on collaborative innovation in India's defence research, asserting that "if India had 10 Abdul Kalams, we could truly transform research and development."
Ramarao, a core member of the missile-building team formed by the late President A P J Abdul Kalam, reflected on his experience developing the indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile system. Developed over 15 years starting in 1983, Akash recently proved its effectiveness by thwarting a barrage of Pakistani missiles and drones on May 8 and 9.
"Kalam Taught Us to Work as One Team"
Praising Kalam's leadership, Ramarao said, “India’s biggest challenge is our inability to work together despite individual brilliance. Kalam excelled at bringing people together and aligning their energy toward a shared goal.” He added that if the nation had more leaders like Kalam, India would be well-positioned to lead in technological innovation.At just 34 years old, Ramarao was appointed as the project director of what was initially called the SAM-X missile project, later renamed Akash. He recounted the rigorous process of building and testing hardware and software, iterating designs after failures, and convincing a skeptical Indian Army of the system’s viability.
India's R&D Ecosystem Now Stronger Than Ever
Ramarao highlighted the tremendous growth in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities over the decades. "Back in the mid-1980s, Indian industries were limited to ‘build to print’. Now they can build even from just a concept," he said.He believes that today’s younger scientists are far more equipped, and with the groundwork already laid, future indigenous missile systems could be developed in as little as five years.
A Call for Policy Support and Direction
While acknowledging India’s progress in guided missile and rocket technology over the last 25 years, Ramarao warned that adversaries have also advanced. "We still have a long way to go," he said, noting the importance of strategic support for young talent."The youth today are extremely competent and ambitious. They want to do something different and fantastic. What they need is proper direction and support," he emphasized.
Ramarao concluded by stressing the importance of inspired leadership, like that of Kalam, to bring India’s vast scientific potential into action. "It’s now up to policymakers to harness this immense resource for the good of the country," he said.