Mon May 12 14:30:13 UTC 2025: ## Tiruchi Engineer’s Legacy Lives On: Key Role in Akash Missile’s Success
**Tiruchi, May 12, 2025** – The recent deployment of the Akash surface-to-air missile (SAM) system in the India-Pakistan conflict has brought renewed attention to the crucial role played by a Tiruchi native, the late Ramprasad Ramakrishna Panyam. A 1976 chemical engineering graduate of the National Institute of Technology – Tiruchi (NIT-T), Panyam’s contributions to the Akash missile’s development were instrumental in its success.
Panyam, who passed away in 2012, joined the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad in 1983. He took over the Akash project in 2002, a time when it faced significant challenges, including electronic connectivity issues and the complexities of using novel materials. According to Srinivasan Sundarrajan, a former NIT-T director and colleague of Panyam, he systematically addressed these problems, collaborating closely with users to bring the project to fruition within a few years. His work ultimately led to the missile’s successful industry acceptance and production.
The Akash missile, comparable to the US Patriot system, boasts a 25km range, supersonic speed, and the capability to intercept cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Panyam’s expertise contributed significantly to the design and development of its solid fuel integrated rocket Ramjet. NIT-T posthumously awarded him the Distinguished Alumnus award in 2014, recognizing his pivotal role in creating a pioneering indigenous SAM system. His simple nature and dedication have been remembered fondly by colleagues.
First Piper 