Article Posted on : - Jan 26, 2013

Dr. A. Sivathanu Pillai, Distinguished Scientist & Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, BrahMos Aerospace.

NEW DELHI (BNS): Dr. A Sivathanu Pillai, Distinguished Scientist and Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, BrahMos Aerospace, was conferred the "Padma Bhushan" for distinguished service of high order.

On the occasion of India's 64th Republic Day celebrations, the Indian Government on Saturday announced the Padma awards, the country's highest civilian awards, conferred in three categories - Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

Congratulating the employees of BrahMos, Dr. Pillai said, "I am aware of the fact that this honour belongs to all members of BrahMos team whose selfless and dedicated work has been respected for the extraordinary achievement, which we could demonstrate to the Nation. BRAHMOS is the pride of India and is a well accepted Weapon System by all the three wings of the Indian Armed Force."

"I am truly proud of you, my dear colleagues," he said.

Under the leadership of Dr. Pillai, the Indian Russian Joint Venture Company BrahMos Aerospace, formed by the amalgamation of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's Mashinostroyenia Company, has taken phenomenal steps since it was first established in 1998.

Today, the success of BRAHMOS JV between India and Russia has set the brightest example for the defence industry to build strong partnerships and work jointly towards realising the larger goal of producing sophisticated and highly advanced military systems.

The supersonic cruise missile BRAHMOS with a range of 290 km has been inducted by the Indian Army and Navy. The Indian Army is the only armed force in the world to have land-attack supersonic cruise missile capability.

DRDO Chief Vijay Kumar Saraswat, who is also the Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, was also conferred the Padma Bhushan and DRDO Chief Controller R&D (Missiles and Strategic Systems) Avinash Chander, was honoured with the Padma Shri on the occassion.