Dr. Samir V Kamat – Chairperson, DRDO

Dr. Samir V. Kamat, an acclaimed materials scientist and defense technologist, has been serving as the Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and Chairman, DRDO since August 26, 2022. An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur (B.Tech) and The Ohio State University, USA (PhD), Dr. Kamat has played a pivotal role in India’s defense innovation, particularly in high-strength steels for naval ship hulls, advanced alloys for aero engines, and stealth materials for combat applications. His leadership has also driven advancements in autonomous underwater vehicles, torpedo defense systems, and next-gen sonar technologies. A recipient of prestigious honors like the Distinguished Alumni Award from IIT Kharagpur, Metallurgist of the Year, and Scientist of the Year from DRDO, his expertise is integral to India’s self-reliant defense ambitions. At Kalam & Kavach 2.0, Dr. Kamat’s insights will illuminate the future of defense technology, materials innovation, and strategic naval advancements, reinforcing India’s push towards Atmanirbhar Bharat in defense manufacturing.