BrahMos chief, Dr A Sivathanu Pillai, to be conferred Nayudamma award for 2007

Guntur: Chief executive officer, BrahMos Aerospace, Dr A Sivathanu Pillai, will be conferred the Nayudamma award for 2007, according to Nayudamma Memorial Trust founder, P Vishnu Murthy.

In a statement, the trust said the award recognises the defence scientist's contribution to India's missile development programme, as well as his role in bringing together the Indo-Russian BrahMos project and its expansion.

Speaking to newsmen at Tenali, he said the award would be presented to Dr Pillai at a special function to be held at Tenali on February 2. KCP Ltd chairman and managing director VL Dutt will honour Dr Pillai.

Dr Pillai is also chief controller of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

On the occasion, Dr Pillai is expected to deliver the 16th Nayudamma memorial lecture on the topic, 'India – an emerging strategic power.'

BrahMos Aerospace is an Indo-Russian joint venture that has designed, developed, produced and marketed the unique BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The missile has been inducted into the Indian Navy and Army.

While the missile's engine has been supplied by Russia, the radar and other components have been developed in India.