The government on Thursday appointed distinguished scientist Dr. S Christopher as Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Dr. G. S. Reddy as Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved appointment of Dr. Christopher as Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development-cum-Director General, DRDO for a period of two years from the date of taking over the charge, the Department of Personnel and Training said in a statement.

While Dr. Christopher is currently Distinguished Scientist and Programme Director (airborne early warning and control system) and Director, Centre for Air-Borne Systems in Bengaluru, Dr. Reddy is Distinguished Scientist and Director, Research Centre Imarat and Programme Director of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) project.

DRDO has been without a head for the last four months after the contract of Dr. Avinash Chander as Secretary, DoDRD & DG DRDO and Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister was terminated with effect from January 31.

After Dr. Chander's tenure, the government separated the positions of Department of Defence Research and Development (DoDRD) and Director General DRDO from that of Scientific Advisor.