‘We need more Kalams’

Says Padma Shri Dr. Prahlada Rama Rao, Architect of Akash Missile Systems

Akash, the surface-to-air missile used in Operation Sindoor, is a true epitome of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Dr. Prahlada Rama Rao, the Architect of Akash Missile Systems, was in Mysuru recently as the guest of honour at Mysuru Literature Festival-2025. 

Padma Shri Dr. Rao recounted a journey that began with uncertainty but ended with one of India’s proudest defence achievements in an exclusive conversation with Sujata Rajpal, on behalf of Star of Mysore.

Dr. Rao, who is currently writing a book on his experience of working on this landmark project, said: “Dr. Kalam chose the name Akash from ten team proposals, aptly symbolising the sky and capturing the project’s vision and mission.” 

By Sujata Rajpal

Star of Mysore (SOM): Please take our readers through the journey of Akash.

Dr. Prahlada Rama Rao: The journey of Akash Missile Systems began in 1984 when I was hand-picked by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, then the Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Policy Affairs, to lead the project as its Director. The objective was to indigenously develop a surface-to-air missile system for India. Until then, India had been importing such equipment from Europe and Russia. At the time, I was only 34 and was apprehensive.

It was a massive responsibility involving huge money, high stakes, immense technical challenges and innumerable gaps. However, once the project was set in motion, I threw myself into the work, drawing on my solid foundation in rockets and missiles.

I had completed my Master’s from IISc. Bangalore in aeronautical engineering with a specialisation in rockets and missiles, and was comfortable working across interdisciplinary domains. Before Akash, I had around ten years of experience, particularly in rockets and radar systems, and had already worked closely with Dr. Kalam for a year. The project spanned nearly 15 years — 10 years in development and another 5 in testing.

SOM: How strong was the Akash team?

Dr. Rama Rao: We were a team of 50, a thousand scientists from across the country and 200 industries working on this arduous journey. Despite the vast collaboration, the buck stopped with me. Dr. Kalam was my greatest support, mentoring, guiding and advising me throughout.

Many thought it was impossible to build a missile system capable of intercepting multiple incoming threats. That level of coordination and precision had never been attempted in India. But I was confident, it had to work. The stakes were incredibly high. Once the missile is on the launcher and the command is given, it is out of our hands —  it either launches successfully or crashes; even the minutest of errors would set us back to the drawing board. Every glitch forced us to investigate deeply, to understand exactly what went wrong.

SOM: How did you feel when you learnt that Akash was used during Operation Sindoor?

Dr. Rama Rao: The Government had deployed the launchers across various strategic locations, but the timing of their use was unknown to us. I first learnt about it through the news on television when India had launched Operation Sindoor. I was completely frozen.

Even now, talking about it, I am getting goosebumps. I thought of Dr. Kalam. We had worked together on Akash for 15 long years; if he were alive to see this moment, he would have been proud. It wasn’t just a missile launch; it was the culmination of a vision we had nurtured through years of relentless effort. It was the happiest moment of my life. To see something you’ve built from scratch, through decades of uncertainty, finally serving the nation.

SOM: What lessons did you learn from working with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam?

Dr. Rama Rao: Dr. Kalam had an extraordinary ability to recognise people’s strengths and assign responsibilities accordingly. He believed in recognising talent publicly, which motivated people to give their best. Despite all his achievements, he remained incredibly humble.

He wouldn’t hesitate to approach anyone, whether junior or senior, to ask for help or seek an opinion. He was a true team player. He knew how to unite people behind a shared vision. And perhaps the most powerful lesson he taught was to never lose sight of your vision. We need more Kalams in our country.

SOM: What is your advice to young scientists and aspiring innovators?

Dr. Rama Rao: Young scientists must build a strong foundation in Science. Believe in yourself even when others don’t. Always keep the bigger picture in mind. You are not just doing a job; you are solving a real-world problem, often one that impacts the nation so challenges are inevitable. Don’t let minor setbacks discourage you. Learn to work with all kinds of people — professional jealousies, ego clashes and power struggles are part of any project. Don’t let them distract you. Shed your ego, stay grounded and stay focused on the mission.

SOM: How about your family support?

Dr. Rama Rao: Nothing big has been achieved without family support. My wife and daughter have suffered the most (he laughs). In this entire journey, I have taken only one day’s leave for my daughter’s wedding, and thankfully, I’ve only one daughter (he laughs again). I have never attended any of the family functions or parent-teacher meetings, but these were the small prices to pay for the bigger mission, and my family understood it.