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The DIAT as it is known today came into being
as the Institute of Armament Studies in 1952 in
the CME campus. In 1967, the institute was renamed
as “Institute of Armament Technology (IAT) which
moved to its present location at Girinagar, Pune.
From the relatively narrow scope of Armament Studies
alone in the Fifties, the role of the Institute
was considerably enlarged by the Defence R&D Council
in 1964 and further in 1981.
On the basis of accreditation by the All India
Council of Technical Education (AICTE), Pune University
recognized eight courses of the DIAT for the award
of ME degree in 1980. In the year 2000, the institute
acquired the status of a Deemed University. IAT
was renamed as DIAT in April, 2006. Defence Minister
A K Antony is the Chairman of the governing council
and Dr V K Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to Raksha
Mantri, is the Secretary. Areas of academic studies
and research cover a large canvas including Aerospace
Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics
Engineering, Applied Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
and Material Science.
Dr Prahlada brings with him academic brilliance
and high track record of 40 years of service to
the Defence Forces to give a new leadership to
the Institute which is poised to become a world
class University to foster science and technology
related to internal security and national defence.
Born on Feb. 5, 1947 in Bangalore, Dr Prahlada
acquired a Mechanical Engineering Graduate degree
from the University College of Engineering, Bangalore
University in 1969. Subsequently he got his Masters
Degree in Aeronautical Engineering Department
from IISc, Bangalore, with specialization in Rockets
and Missile Systems and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University,
Hyderabad. Since 1971 he has served in various
ISRO and DRDO Establishments covering VSSC Trivandrum,
ADE Bangalore, DRDL Hyderabad and DRDO HQrs in
Delhi.
As Project Director for the mobile surface-to-air
area defence missile system, AKASH, he has provided
the technological and managerial leadership to
about 1,000 scientists/ engineers working in the
DRDO’s various development centres. In his position
as Director of the biggest DRDO laboratory, DRDL,
during 1997-2005, he has provided leadership to
many missile projects, new technologies and world
class test facilities. He was Programme Director
for the Joint Venture Project (Indo- Russia) BrahMos
and contributed to Project formulation, management
and conduct of initial flight trials. He has spearheaded
commercialization of DRDO technologies into civilian
products through a customized programme with FICCI.
Dr Prahlada is a recipient of many coveted awards
which includes the DRDO Scientist of the Year,
IISc Distinguished Alumnus Award, National Aeronautical
Prize, DRDO Award for Path Breaking Research/Outstanding
technology Development 2008. He was awarded honorary
doctorate from Sri Venkateswara University in
2006. He is the Member/Fellow of various professional
organisations like the IISc, Alumni Association,
Management Association, Institute of Engineering
and other Aeronautical Aerodynamics and Electronic
Institutions.
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