The government has appointed Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's scientific advisor Dr G Satheesh Reddy as the chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Reddy, a missile scientist, has also been appointed as the Secretary at the Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D).
The appointments committee of the Union Cabinet approved Reddy's appointment to both the posts, the government stated in a press release issued on Saturday.
He will succeed Dr S Christopher, who completed his term as the DRDO chief in May this year.
Reddy is known for his significant contributions towards indigenous design, development, deployment of diversified missiles and strategic systems, guided weapons, avionics technologies and for sustained efforts in the advancement of aerospace technologies and industries in India, the government said.