This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here. Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.

1980
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) terminates plans to build the three-ton-thrust liquid-fueled engine and decides instead to focus on acquiring the Viking liquid-engine technology from France.
—Gopal Raj, "Early Initiatives in Liquid Propulsion," Reach for the Stars: The Evolution of India's Rocket Programme (New Delhi: Viking by Penguin Books India, 2000), pp. 113-114.

1980
Ved Prakash Sandlas replaces A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as project director of the satellite launch vehicle (SLV) program.
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Creation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), p. 101; Gopal Raj, "SLV-3: India's First Launch Vehicle," Reach for the Stars: The Evolution of India's Rocket Programme, (New Delhi: Viking by Penguin Books India, 2000), p. 72.

1980
Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) Director S.L. Bansal revives Project Valiant; he also draws up ambitious plans to build a series of missiles.
—Raj Chengappa, "The Boat Owner's Son," in Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers India Pvt. Limited, 2000), p. 234.

22 January 1980
The Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) conducts successful test of a 30-ton-thrust, liquid-fueled engine built for the Valiant ballistic missile program. [Note: The 30-ton-thrust, liquid-fueled engine uses a propellant combination of red-fuming nitric acid (RFNA) oxidizer and unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine fuel. By 1998, DRDL conducted three static tests of this engine for burn durations varying from 5 to 30 seconds.]
—Raj Chengappa, "End The Wink And Nudge Approach," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers India Pvt. Limited, 2000); Dr. N.C. Birla and B.S. Murthy, eds., "Propulsion Systems," Indian Defence Technology: Missile Systems, (DRDO, Ministry of Defence, December 1998), pp. 99, 102.

February 1980
The Indian government cancels Project Devil, the program to reverse-engineer the Soviet SA-2 surface-to-air missile (SAM); the Indian Air Force decides to procure Pechora SAM batteries from the Soviet Union. Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) Director V.S. Narayanan disputes the government's decision and tenders his resignation. S. L. Bansal is appointed new director of DRDL with the mandate to revive India's flagging missile program.
—Raj Chengappa, "The Boat Owner's Son," in Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers India Pvt. Limited, 2000), pp. 233-234.

18 July 1980
Second experimental launch of the 17-ton SLV-3; Rohini satellite successfully placed in orbit. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi informs parliament that "the four-stage, all-solid propellant vehicle has been developed in India by Indian scientists and engineers. The total development cost of SLV-3 is about 200 million rupees and the present experimental launch has cost about 10 million rupees."
—"Gandhi Makes Statement on 18 July Satellite Launch," ISI Diplomatic Information Service, 19 July 1980, in FBIS Document, "India," VIII. 21 July 1980, pp. E1-E2; Stuart Auerbach, "India Becomes 6th Country to Put Satellite in Orbit," Washington Post, 18 July 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 19 July 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

18 July 1980
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman Professor S. Dhawan says that the successful SLV-3 launch gives India the capability to develop intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs). According to Dhawan, "any country which can place a satellite in orbit can develop an IRBM."
—Stuart Auerbach, "India Becomes 6th Country to Put Satellite in Orbit," Washington Post, 18 July 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 19 July 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

23 July 1980
Minister of State for Defense C.P.N. Singh informs parliament that a preliminary analysis of the data collected from the 18 July launch of the SLV-3 indicates that the performance parameters of the vehicle were better than predicted. As a result, it is assessed that the SLV-3 vehicle will be able to place a 60kg payload in orbit during future launches.
—"Upper House Congratulates Scientists on SLV-3 Success," Delhi Domestic Service, 23 July 1980, in FBIS Document, "India," VIII, 24 July 1980, pp. E1-E2.

25 July 1980
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi allays fears that India might use spin-offs from the SLV-3 for military purposes. She says that such fears are unwarranted and all major achievements of Indian science so far have been for peaceful purposes.
—"Gandhi Disclaims Intent for Military Use of Satellite," Delhi General Overseas Service, 25 July 1980; in FBIS Document, "India," VIII. 28 July 1980, p. E2.

1 August 1980
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi presides over a meeting of the parliament's consultative committee of the defense ministry. The committee is told that a project to develop missiles in India is underway. In addition, the Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) is also developing a gas turbine engine for a future fighter aircraft.
—"Project to Develop Missiles Underway," AFP (Hong Kong), 1 August 1980, in FBIS Document, "India," VIII, 4 August 1980, p. E4.

Post-August 1980
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is appointed director of Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) Aerospace Dynamics & Design group. Kalam and Sivathanu Pillai conduct theoretical studies on the application of civilian satellite launch vehicle (SLV) technologies for ballistic missiles. They conclude that the SLV-3 solid rocket motors can meet the requirements of short- and intermediate-range (ranges of up to 4,000km) ballistic missiles. The development of one additional solid-fuel booster of "1.8m-diameter with 36 tons of propellant" could be used to build an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) (a range of more than 5,000km with a 1,000kg payload). [Note: These concepts find applications in the formulation of the Re-entry Experiment (REX), which is later named Agni.]
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Creation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), p. 102.

1980-1981
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) decides to build a new launch vehicle–Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV)–to act as a bridge between the SLV-3 and larger satellite launch vehicles to launch operational satellites in orbit. ISRO's Annual Report states, "the main goal of this project is to achieve in about two to three years time an augmented satellite launch vehicle based on the SLV-3, as the core with minimum modifications, but capable of placing a 150kg payload in near earth orbit from SHAR [the Sriharikota High-Altitude Range]." [Note: ISRO hopes to use the ASLV as an intermediate vehicle between the SLV-3 and the more ambitious Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to test critical technologies for the PSLV. The development of an ASLV is also viewed as a means to give ISRO publicity during the decade-long effort required to develop the PSLV.]
—Gopal Raj, "The ASLV: A Technological Bridge," Reach for the Stars: The Evolution of India's Rocket Programme (New Delhi: Viking by Penguin Books India, 2000), p. 126.

1981
The government-owned Semiconductor Complex Ltd. (SCL) in Chandigarh (Punjab) signs a contract with the California-based American Microsystems Inc. (AMI) to build a plant to manufacture large-scale integrated chips (LSIs) in India. [Note: Large-scale integrated chips have applications in industrial, defense, and space sectors.]
—T.N. Ninan, "Electronics: The Chips are Coming," India Today (New Delhi), 15 October 1983, pp. 58-59.

January 1981
The scientific advisor to the defense minister Dr. Raja Ramanna offers A.P.J. Abdul Kalam directorship of the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) with the mandate of reviving India's guided missile program. [Note: Dr. Raja Ramanna oversaw efforts to conduct India's first nuclear test in May 1974.]
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Creation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), pp. 103-104.

19 February 1981
Minister of State for Defense C.P.N. Singh tells parliament that the government has plans to launch an improved version of the SLV-3. The new variant will have additional strap-on rockets to give greater thrust; the rocket will be capable of putting a 150kg satellite in orbit. The projected new version, Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), will be roughly comparable to the advanced version of the US Scout vehicle. The minister also discloses that there is a proposal to develop a more powerful launch vehicle capable of placing 600kg-class of satellites in sun-synchronous polar orbits.
—"Plans for Improved Satellite Technology Noted," AFP (Hong Kong), 19 February 1981, in FBIS Document, "India," VIII, 26 February 1981, p. E2.

17 April 1981
The Federal German Aerospace Research Establishment DFVLR and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) conduct a joint test-flight of an Indian sounding rocket carrying Indian and West German payloads. The launch is part of a collaboration program between ISRO and DFVLR "to develop modern altitude-sensing devices using a radio frequency and to perfect the determination and correction of the altitude of satellites." The Director of VSSC V.R. Gowariker says, "the rocket carried an interferometer and a radio receiver with a short wave band developed by ISRO and an onboard computer, camera, and other devices provided by the DFVLR." The rocket flew to a height of 130km and its performance was normal.
—"India, West Germany Test Indian-Made Rocket," Xinhua News Agency (Beijing), 20 April 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 21 April 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

31 May 1981
India successfully launches a 38kg Rohini satellite (RS-D1) on board the SLV-3. This is the third test-flight of the SLV-3. The Press Trust of India (PTI) reports that the launching is "not connected with the testing of missile systems."
—"Rohini Satellite Successfully Launched 31 May," Delhi Domestic Service (New Delhi), 31 May 1981, in FBIS Document, "India," VIII, 1 June 1981, p. E1; "ISI Gives Details of Upcoming Satellite Launch," Diplomatic Information Service, 7 May 1981, in FBIS Document, "India," VIII, 7 May 1981, p. E2; "India fires second satellite in orbit," International, 31 May 1981, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 31 May 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; K.K. Sharma, "New developments come close to matching capabilities of more advanced nations," Financial Times (London), 24 May 1982, p. V, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 24 May 1982, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

9 June 1981
India's space program receives a setback as the Rohini satellite (RS-D1), launched on board the SLV-3 on 31 May 1981, is unable to maintain its orbit. The satellite was expected to remain in orbit for 300 days. Indian scientists have yet to determine the cause of the failure. But an Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) spokesperson says that because the satellite kept spiraling, it could not take pictures and locate important landmarks with well-known coordinates.
—Richard S. Ehrlich, "India's space program crashes to earth," International, 9 June 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 June 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

4 December 1981
Although the Indian government maintains that its space program is for purely peaceful purposes, independent observers believe that the rockets could be used for military purposes. Pointing out that all satellite launch vehicles (SLVs) have the potential to be missiles, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chairman Professor S. Dhawan insists that "the government of India's policy is that its space program is a peaceful effort...but the rocket is like a knife in the kitchen. It could be a murder weapon or a thing to cut vegetables. The rocket doesn't know the difference. It's the hand that uses it." Dhawan reiterates that ISRO is not working on a missile program. He says, "we can get a payload into orbit. To bring down a payload from orbit to a specified point on the ground, which is a military target, requires another form of technology, which I hasten to add can be developed by the space engineers."
—Stuart Auerbach, "Peaceful Indian Program Has Military Potential," Washington Post, p. C5, 4 December 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 December 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

1982
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam undertakes an intensive failure analysis of the Defense Research & Development Laboratory's (DRDL) earlier missile projects. He identifies the DRDL's key failures as poor interaction with user services such as the Army and Air Force, overemphasis on in-house research as against subcontracting to private sector companies, and academic institutions, and the paucity of funds at critical stages of projects. Kalam draws on his managerial experience at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to introduce organizational changes at DRDL. DRDL is reorganized with a Guided Missile Board at the top with Dr. V. S. Arunachalam as the chair and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as secretary. The board includes secretaries from the defense and finance ministries, the heads of key public sector industries involved in production, and the vice-chiefs of the armed services. At the middle-organizational level, a Programme Management Board is constituted with Kalam as its chair. The board includes the heads of all laboratories involved in the missile program as well as senior officers from the armed services. At the bottom tier, Kalam forms a Project Management Board headed by individual missile project directors with representatives from public sector companies and the armed services. These organizational changes are introduced to ensure effective coordination between all agencies involved in the program. Instead of developing the key technologies in-house, Kalam and his team decide to adopt the consortium approach and collaborate with research institutes, universities, and private sector companies. To avoid past failures, Kalam also adopts ISRO's peer-review culture to provide scientists with a negative feedback loop during the design and development process. ISRO experts are invited to provide an informal pooling of knowledge for the missile program. DRDL adopts a "concurrent engineering" model of development and production. Under this model, once the commitment of the user and flexibility of the weapon system are established, the program of development, user interaction, industry interaction, and actual production are tightly coupled to minimize the time-gap between development and final serial-production.
—Raj Chengappa, "Arsenal For The Gods," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power, (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000), pp. 279-284; Raj Chengappa, "The Missile Man," India Today (New Delhi), 15 April 1994, p. 44; Dr. N. C. Birla and B. S. Murthy, eds., "An Overview of Missile Technology," in Indian Defense Technology: Missile Systems, (New Delhi: Defence Research and Development Organization, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, 1998), pp. 2-6; A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), pp. 111-127.

1982
Dr. V.S. Arunachalam is appointed scientific advisor to the defense minister.
—Raj Chengappa, "The Lawyer And The Blacksmith," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India, 2000), p. 264.

February 1982
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam appointed director of the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh). [Note: Kalam received an honorary doctorate from Anna University in 1982.]
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), p. 109.

4 February 1982
The Director of SAC Professor U.R. Rao discloses that India's next satellite launch vehicle capable of launching a 150kg satellite, will be ready within two years.
—"Space Effort," New Delhi Home Service, 4 February 1982; in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 3 March 1982, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

16 March 1982
Defense Minister R. Venkataraman tells parliament that India is evolving a long-term defense strategy. However, he refuses to divulge "anything more" about the long-term preparations.
—"Minister: Country Prepared For Any Threat," AFP (Hong Kong), 16 March 1982, in FBIS Document, "India," VIII, 17 March 1982, p. E1.

April 1982
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam visits the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh). He is briefed on the laboratory's "five staff projects," and "sixteen competence-building projects." The laboratory is also involved in developing several technologies with the objective of gaining "lead time" for the development of indigenous missile systems in the future. Kalam is impressed by the DRDL's efforts to develop "twin 30-ton" liquid propellant engines.
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), p. 110.

18 April 1982
Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) secretary Dr. Y. S. Rajan reports that India has begun constructing test facilities for a liquid rocket motor–Vikas–at Mahendragiri (Tamil Nadu). The facility, which is being built in collaboration with West Germany's help, will come under the direct control of VSSC, Thiruvanathapuram (Kerela). Work on an engineering model and a prototype of the Vikas liquid-rocket engine has already started.
—"Rocketry," New Delhi Home Service, 18 April 1982; in BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 April 1982, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

June 1982
The Department of Space clears proposals to build the ASLV and PSLV and apportions 197.3 million rupees for the ASLV program. [Note: The four stages of the SLV-3 will form the "core of the ASLV, with two strap-on motors, each identical to the SLV-3's first stage." Unlike the SLV-3, which uses an open-loop guidance system, the ASLV will use a combination of an "open-loop" and "closed-loop" or inertial guidance systems, which will allow it to place satellites in a 400km near-circular orbit with greater precision. The ASLV will be designed to fly with an "open-loop" in the first stage of its flight. The "closed-loop" guidance will begin operation in the second stage and jettisoned after the third stage of flight. The ASLV will also carry a "bulbous heat shield so that satellites larger than the rocket's diameter" can be accommodated. Unlike the SLV-3, which was integrated horizontally and then raised to a vertical position for launch, the ASLV will be integrated vertically in a Mobile Service Tower (MST).]
—Gopal Raj, "The ASLV: A Technological Bridge," Reach for the Stars: The Evolution of India's Rocket Programme (New Delhi: Viking by Penguin Books India, 2000), pp. 127-131.

1 June 1982
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam formally joins the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh).
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), pp. 111.

June 1982
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam forms a committee to draw up a "clear and well-defined programme for the production of indigenous missiles." Committee members include Z. P. Marshall, N. R. Iyer, A.K. Kapoor, and K.S. Venkataraman. The committee studies the design of 16 different missiles and analyzes the range of tasks involved from developing technologies, to actually producing, testing, and deploying the missiles, and drafts a paper on the future of India's indigenous missile programs for the consideration of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA).
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), pp. 113; Raj Chengappa, "Arsenal For The Gods," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power, (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000), p. 276.

26 June 1982
In an address to the Indian parliament's consultative committee on defense, Defense Minister R. Venkataraman says that a lot of work has been done on missiles, including their guidance system. He also informs the committee members that a plant is being built in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) for producing special alloys for aircraft.
—"Defense Minister on Weapons Development," Delhi Domestic Service, 26 June 1982, in FBIS Document, "India," VIII, 30 June 1982, p. E1.

12 September 1982
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam makes a formal presentation for a prospective guided missile program before Defense Minister R. Venkataraman, the three service chiefs, the union government secretaries for defense and expenditure. He proposes that India develop a surface-to-surface missile (SSM) capable of delivering a half- or one-ton warhead over a range of 150-250km (SS 150); a multi-role surface-to-air missile (SAM) called Tactical Combat Vehicle (TCV); a state-of-the-art SAM that could engage multiple targets called SAMX; an anti-tank missile with "fire-and-forget" capabilities termed ATM3; and finally, an intermediate-range ballistic missile codenamed REX (Re-Entry Vehicle Project X). Kalam estimates total project costs at 3.9 billion rupees; he also expects the project to be completed within 12 years. Kalam proposes that India first develop the TCV and SS 150 before attempting the development of other missiles. However, Defense Minister Venkataraman persuades the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) to undertake the development of all missiles simultaneously. An estimate of 3.9 billion rupees is presented to the defense minister, which is then sent to the cabinet for approval.
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), pp. 113-114; Raj Chengappa, "Arsenal For The Gods," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000), pp. 276-279.

1982-1983
Defense Minister R. Venkataraman, his scientific advisor, Dr. V.S. Arunachalam, and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam decide that the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) should focus on building strategic missiles that will meet India's requirements beyond the year 2000. They decide to apportion 10% of the Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) annual budget for the project. Kalam anticipates that the United States and its Western allies will try and deny critical missile-related technologies to India. DRDL decides to defeat the anticipated denials by purchasing the requisite technologies abroad and developing key technologies simultaneously. DRDL identifies five critical technologies that will have to be developed indigenously. These include, "phase shifters for radars, impact diodes that act as high-frequency power sources, carbon-carbon composites to withstand the heat of re-entry, key sensors for guidance systems, and computerized fluid dynamic models."
—Raj Chengappa, "The Missile Man," India Today (New Delhi), 15 April 1994, p. 44.

2 November 1982
Defense Minister R. Venkataraman informs parliament that India has the infrastructure to manufacture anti-tank and surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs). The Defense Research & Development Organization's (DRDO) is also developing a number of technologies for anti-tank and surface-to-air missiles (SAMs).
—"Production of Surface-to-Air Missiles Begins," Delhi Domestic Service, 2 November 1982, in FBIS Document, "India," VIII. p. E2.

1983
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam appoints project directors for the missile programs.
 • Colonel V.J. Sundaram: Prithvi
 • Commodore S.R. Mohan: Trishul
 • R.N. Agarwal: Agni
 • R.R. Prahlada: Akash
 • N.R. Iyer: Nag

—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography, (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), pp. 122-123; Raj Chengappa, "The Devil's Workshop," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000), p. 163.

1983
Design work for the Prithvi begins at the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh). Indian scientists debate whether to develop solid-motors or liquid-fueled engines for the Prithvi. Kalam favors a solid-fuel configuration. He argues that solid-fueled motors are less complex and easier to maintain as they can store fuel for long periods of time. Solid-fueled motors also have no pumps or valves that are characteristic of liquid-fueled engines. Unlike liquid-fueled missiles, which are toxic and require complex handling, logistics support, and prolong launch preparations in the field by as many as 12 hours, solid-fueled missiles can be fired quickly. However, the liquid-propellant lobby argues that due to the poor conditions of Indian roads, cracks could develop in the solid-fuel casts, which in turn would have a negative effect on the missile's performance. Liquid-fueled missiles would also offer greater elasticity in range (40-150km) as the engine could be shut down by turning off the fuel supply. This could be achieved with solid-fuel motors as well, but would require complex thrust-termination technology including flexible nozzles, which DRDL would have to develop separately. Those favoring liquid-fueled engines also argue that DRDL's organizational rivalry with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and history of developing the Devil and Valiant engines give it a natural advantage in continuing with liquid-fueled engines. IISRO cites time and organizational constraints and expresses reluctance in designing a solid-fuel motor for Prithvi. Ultimately, Defense Research & Development Organization's (DRDO) Director Dr. V. S. Arunachalam decides in favor of liquid-fueled engines.
—Raj Chengappa, "The Funny Guys Did It," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000), pp. 309-311; Steven M. Flank, "Indian Missile and Space Programs: Strategic Alliance vs. National Consensus," in Reconstructing Rockets: The Politics of Developing Military Technology in Brazil, India, and Israel, Ph.D. Dissertation, MIT, 1993, pp. 131-194; Duncan Lennox, ed., Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems, Issue 32, 2000, pp. 75-76.

1983
Explaining the rationale for his decision in favor of liquid-fueled engines, Dr. V.S. Arunachalam says, "there was a very strong local reason for deciding that Prithvi should be powered by liquid-fueled engines. The DRDL [Defense Research & Development Laboratory] spent years developing it. We would have completely demoralized the laboratory [DRDL] if we said we were going to space [ISRO] to get a solid propellant. Also we avoided catastrophic failures because there were no surprises with the engine. Our decision saw Prithvi becoming the missile to be proven in the stable because it already had a proven technology." His decision is seconded by Kalam, who says, "the fact was that DRDL had tremendous amount of experience in liquid propulsion systems. They had tested them for more than a thousand seconds and there was an experienced team geared up to build the engine. It also had the advantage for short-range missiles because you could terminate the engine any time, giving the missile greater amount of maneuverability....don't forget, it has saved us a lot of money and brought down our time schedules considerably."
—Cited in Raj Chengappa, "The Funny Guys Did It," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000), p. 311-312.

1983
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam involves the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in the Prithvi program by requesting its liquid-fueled engine experts, including A. E. Muthunayagam and N. Narayan, who are building the Vikas engine, to conduct an independent technical audit of the scaled-up version of the Devil's liquid-propulsion system developed for the Prithvi.
—Raj Chengappa, "The Funny Guys Did It," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000), pp. 313-314.

1983
The Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) establishes an external fabrication office under P.K. Biswas to coordinate activities with government-owned, public-sector units and other private-sector companies associated with the development of missile-related hardware.
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), p. 143.

12 January 1983
India successfully launches a RH-560 rocket with a 90kg-payload from the Sriharikota High-Altitude Range (SHAR) in Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh). The rocket reaches an altitude of 330km and carries a technological payload to evaluate various aerodynamic and structural parameters of rockets. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) sources claim, "the flight has opened up possibilities for various applications of rocket technology."
—"India launches Rohini-560 rocket," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (Beijing), 14 January 1983; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 14 January 1983, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

January 1983
First launch of the single-stage RH-300 sounding rocket occurs. [Note: The RH-300 is later lengthened to accommodate an additional 100kg of propellant. The resulting RH-300 Mk-II becomes a replacement for the two-stage Centaure sounding rocket first acquired in the 1960s from France.]
—Gopal Raj, "First Steps in Rocketry," Reach for the Stars: The Evolution of India's Rocket Programme (New Delhi: Viking by Penguin Books India, 2000), p. 41.

17 April 1983
Successful launch of the SLV-3 occurs. The 23m-high, four-stage, solid-propellant rocket places a 40kg RS-D2 satellite into a nominal elliptical orbit (936km at its apogee and 420km at its perigee), at an inclination of 45 degrees to the equator. [Note: Indian rocket scientists have emphasized that although India's SLV-3 was modeled on the US Scout, it was not an exact copy. The latter would have only been possible through license manufacture. While designing the SLV-3, Indian scientists did use the Scout's configuration and design parameters as a reference, but they had to develop the propellants, materials, and sub-systems independently. Since the Scout used solid-propellant motors from US military missiles, it had better-optimized lower stages. In contrast to the Scout, which used a monolithic solid motor in its first stage, the SLV-3's first stage comprised of three segments. The upper two stages of the SLV-3 had fiberglass casings to reduce weight. However, in the fourth and final flight of the SLV-3, the fourth stage was made of Kevlar, a high-strength fiber to reduce the weight of the motor casing and subsequently increase the weight of the payload. American scientists made the transition to Kevlar in the Scout's fourth stage much earlier. In addition, the SLV-3 and Scout used different control systems. Lastly, the US Scout had better guidance capability.]
—Stewart Slavin, "India launches satellite," Sunday, 17 April 1983; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 17 April 1983, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Gopal Raj, "SLV-3: India's First Launch Vehicle," Reach for the Stars: The Evolution of India's Rocket Programme (New Delhi: Viking by Penguin Books India, 2000), pp. 57-59.

July 1983
The Indian cabinet formally approves the guided missile program and sanctions 3.8 billion rupees for the project.
—Raj Chengappa, "Arsenal For The Gods," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to Be a Nuclear Power, (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000), p. 279; A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), pp. 117.

27 July 1983
India formally announces the launching of the Integrated Guided Missile Program (IGMDP) to develop a family of missiles. The five missiles to be developed by the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) are a short-range ballistic missile (Prithvi), an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM; Agni), an anti-tank missile (Nag), a low-level surface-to-air missile (SAM; Trishul), and a medium-range SAM (Akash).
—Dr. N. C. Birla, ed., "The Origins," Indian Defence Technology: Missile Systems (New Delhi: Defense Research & Development Organization, Ministry of Defense, 1998), pp. ix-x; A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography, (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), pp. 117-118.

Early 1980s
The Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) decides to develop strap-down inertial navigation systems for ballistic missiles for "up to a medium-range application."
—Dr. N.C. Birla and B. S. Murthy, eds., "Inertial Guidance and Sensors," Indian Defence Technology: Missile Systems (DRDO, Ministry of Defence, December 1998), p. 156.

October 1983
The government-owned SCL completes the construction of a 450 million rupee plant to manufacture large-scale integrated circuits at the Mohali industrial complex outside Chandigarh (Punjab). The plant will manufacture 8-bit and 16-bit microprocessors as well as 16K RAM.
—T.N. Ninan, "Electronics: The Chips are Coming," India Today (New Delhi), 15 October 1983, pp. 58-59.

1983-1985
The Agni design team submits four different designs for the Agni. Agni Project Director R. N. Agarwal and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam favor an all-solid motor configuration for the missile. However, the solid-motor configuration is opposed by Dr. V.S. Arunachalam and R. Gopalaswami, who favor the use of the Prithvi's liquid-fueled engines in at least one the missile's stages. Finally, the selected configuration has a solid-fuel motor derived from the Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) SLV-3 in the first stage and liquid-fueled engines from the Prithvi in the second stage. Indian scientists say that the hybrid configuration is the result of the Defense Research & Development Laboratory's (DRDL) historical experience with developing liquid-fueled engines. [Note: The timeframe outlined above is a rough estimate, as there is no publicly available information that provides precise information on the design, development, and production phases of the Agni.]
—Raj Chengappa, "The Agni Pariksha," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000), pp. 345-346.

1983-1984
Search begins for a site to build a dedicated missile test range. The Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) identifies a suitable site along India's northeastern coastline to build test the National Testing Range (NTR). Pending the completion of the new test range, DRDL decides to build an interim facility adjacent to the Proof Experimental Establishment at Chandipur in the Balasore district of Orissa. Three hundred million rupees are sanctioned to build a dedicated test range for India's missile programs and, in an unprecedented decision, the construction is contracted to a private-sector construction firm. In the interim, Kalam and his team decide to use Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) facilities at the Sriharikota High-Altitude Range (SHAR) in Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) for missile tests.
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), pp. 125-127.

1983-1984
A missile subsystem team led by K. V. Ramana Sai and P. Banerjee develops an "attitude control system" and an on-board computer for ballistic missiles.
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), p. 129.

1984
The United States and India sign a memorandum of understanding on high-technology transfers to India. Although an agreement is reached in principle, both sides have difficulties in arriving at a common language to put the agreement into effect. The United States insists that India take steps to prevent technology leakages to the Soviet Union and East European countries. US officials also demand assurances from New Delhi that the technology will not be used for making nuclear weapons.
—Steven R. Weisman, "US-India Technology Accord Gains," New York Times, 3 May 1985, p. 3; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 May 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

April 1984
A newly created government entity, National Silicon Facility (NSF), signs a 900 million rupee contract with the US-based Hemlock Semiconductors Inc. to build a 200-ton plant to manufacture polycrystalline silicon at Baroda (Gujrat). The new plant is expected to come online in 1988. [Note: Polysilicon is used to manufacture large-scale integrated circuits and solar photo-voltaic cells.]
—"National Silicon Facility: Controversial Contract," India Today (New Delhi), 16-31 May 1984, p. 63.

April-June 1984
A Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) team lead by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam begins visiting academic campuses around India to aggressively recruit engineers for India's missile program. DRDL hopes to hire at least 300 new engineers for its projects.
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), p. 132.

26 June 1984
Indian scientists decide to test the attitude control and on-board computer systems developed for the Prithvi ballistic missile program. They improvise by testing these subsystems on a modified Devil missile. A Devil missile is dismantled, modified, reconfigured, and successfully test-fired on 26 June 1984. This flight-test is also used to test an Indian strap-down inertial navigation system. According to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, this is a historic landmark in the history of India's missile development program as it marks the shift from "reverse engineering" to designing indigenous systems.
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), p. 129.

19 July 1984
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visits the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh). Dr. Abdul Kalam informs her that the first flight-test of the Prithvi is scheduled for June 1987.
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), pp. 129-130.

August 1984
News media reports suggest that the United States has refused to clear the deal between the Baroda-based NSF and the US firm Hemlock on technical collaboration for the manufacture of polycrystalline silicon. However, Indian officials deny these reports and claim that Hemlock's application is being considered "sympathetically" in Washington.
—T.N. Ninan, "Technology Transfer: Restrictive Practice," India Today (New Delhi), 16-31 August 1984, p. 56.

27 September 1984
The scientific advisor to the defense minister, Dr. V.S. Arunachalam, leads a comprehensive status review of the Integrated Guided Missile Program (IGMDP). Defense Research & Development Organization's (DRDO) labs, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), academic institutions, and production agencies participate in the review. During the review, the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) finalizes plans to establish a model high-technology research center with advanced technical facilities at the Imarat Kancha area near Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh). The planned facilities include, "inertial instrumentation laboratory, full-scale environmental and electronic warfare test facilities, a composites production center, a high-enthalpy facility, and a state-of-the-art missile integration and checkout centre." The facility is ultimately named Research Centre Imarat (RCI).
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), pp. 125, 130-131.

September 1984
A senior Indian delegation led by the Deputy Minister for Electronics Dr. Sanjeevi Rao visits the Soviet Union to purchase high-powered computers for India's defense and nuclear industry. The Soviet Union agrees to supply its latest-generation "Elbrus" computer system to India for $20 million. Under the agreement, the USSR agrees to install the first Elbrus system in 1985 and subsequently supply computers to India after a one-year proving time. The computers are to be used for setting up a regional computer center. The USSR also agrees to sell India two other computers with a value between six and eight million dollars. Indian requests to procure fourth-generation computers are rejected by the United States, France, Britain, and Japan due to apprehensions that the computers might be used for India's defense and nuclear programs.
—D.P. Kumar, "India turns to Soviet Union for computers," Financial Times (London), p. 5; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 27 September 1984, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Soviet Union to give India super computer," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (Beijing), 26 October 1984; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 26 October 1984, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

October 1984
Orissa Chief Minister J.B. Patnaik announces that the union government has selected Baliapal as the site for the proposed National Testing Range (NTR) to test and develop missiles. [Note: The union government cites the following reasons for selecting Baliapal over other potential missile test sites:
 • Distance from major population centers
 • Distance from major air and sea routes
 • Flat terrain and absence of mineral deposits
 • Good weather conditions; roughly 200 clear days a year
 • Shallow seabed to enable easy missile recovery after tests
 • Location outside the surveillance range of Pakistani radars
 • Site sufficiently large to accommodate down-range instrumentation sites
 • Location to permit testing of both short-range and long-range missiles of ranges up to 5,000km
 • Shallow curved shape of coast permits easy tracking of missiles in the post-launch phase
 • Firm soil conditions allow construction of supporting infrastructure
 • Good road and rail communications links]

—Paul Routledge, "The Baliapal Movement," Terrains of Resistance: Nonviolent Social Movements and the Contestation of Place in India (Westport: Praeger Publishers, 1993), pp. 40-41.

October 1984
Professor Satish Dhawan retires as Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO); Professor U. R. Rao is appointed as his successor. In an interview, Rao emphasizes the peaceful nature of India's space program. He says, "our space programme is based on peaceful applications...our entire profile is very open and there is not one element of military business. None of our satellites has so far been designed for spying. We are not doing it."
—Raj Chengappa, "Space: A Smooth Succession," India Today (New Delhi), 16-31 October 1984, pp. 70-71.

Late 1984
The Defense Research & Development Organization's (DRDO) forms a "Special Purchase Team" to buy valves, chips, microprocessors, and gyros for the Integrated Guided Missile Program (IGMDP). Indian embassies in London and Washington, D.C. arrange special meetings with key suppliers in the United States and Britain for the supply of these parts. Anticipating supplier controls, the purchase team headed by J.C. Bhattacharya purchases stocks for as many as 50 missiles, including those for Prithvi, Agni, and Trishul. Gyros are purchased from France and Sweden; hydraulic actuators acquired from France. In addition, computers, motion simulators and three-axis measuring machines are procured from the United States and West Germany, respectively. The total bill for these purchases in 1984 is estimated at 500 million rupees. [Note 1: Actuators are used in flight-control systems of missiles. The "flight control system sets the actuators on control surfaces to introduce pitch, roll, and/or yaw; holds these settings until the orientation has changed; and then resets the actuators to maintain the new profile." An actuator can either be "rotary or linear. A rotary actuator can be powered by an electric motor...this actuator must not only be capable of rotating the control surface into a significant aerodynamic force, but also supporting the entire mass of the missile during high-acceleration launches and maneuvers. Linear actuators are connected to control surfaces through mechanical linkages that convert the linear actuator motion into an angular surface motion. These actuators are powered by an electric motor, pressurized gas, or hydraulic fluid."; Note 2: Motion simulators are "precision machines that rotate a mounting table about multiple axes at precisely known speeds and angles. They are normally used in guidance development to test instruments and inertial measurement unit assemblies."
—Raj Chengappa, "The Funny Guys Did It," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000) pp. 315-316; "Category II-Item 10: Flight Control," Missile Technology Control Regime: Annex Handbook, pp. 10-2-10-3; "Category II-Item 9: Navigation," pp. 9-19.

Post-1984
The Defense Research & Development Organization's (DRDO) launches an extensive collaborative effort with technological academic institutions in the country. Staff faculty and their students are recruited to participate in missile related projects. Joint advanced technology programs are instituted with the IISc, Bangalore (Karnataka), and Jadavpur University, Jadavpur (West Bengal). Several other academic institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) also participate in the design and development of Defense Research & Development Laboratory's (DRDL) missile programs. A team of graduate students at Jadavpur University led by Professor Ghoshal develops the "guidance algorithm" for the Prithvi. Postgraduate students at Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) led by Professor I.G. Sharma write the software to evaluate multi-target acquisition for systems such as the Akash SAM. A team of scientists from DRDO and IIT in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) develops a re-entry vehicle system design methodology for the Agni re-entry vehicle technology demonstrator; similarly a team of scientists led by Professor S. M. Deshpande, IISc, develops software for computational fluid dynamics for hypersonic regimes, which is used for predicting the Agni payload's behavior during re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. Other successful collaborative efforts include the development of "ferrite phase shifters" by Professor Bharati Bhatt of IIT (New Delhi) and the Solid State Physics Laboratory, New Delhi and Central Electronics Laboratory in Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh). Professor Saraf of IIT in Kharagpur (West Bengal) and B.K. Mukhopadhyay of Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) develop a "millimetric wave antenna" for the Nag seeker head within two years. The Navigational Electronics Research & Training Unit at Osmania University in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) develops state-of-the-art signal processing algorithms or the Nag anti-tank missile. The Central Electrical & Electronics Research Institute (CEERI) in Pilani (Rajasthan) develops an impact diode in collaboration with the Space Physics Laboratory (SPL) and RCI.
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), pp. 137-139; "Millimeter Wave Radar," Research Horizons (Atlanta: Georgia Institute of Technology), <http://gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/reshor/rh-sf99/t-wave.html>.

Post-1984
The Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) approaches the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) in New Delhi to develop a small working-model of a multi-directional weaving device to weave carbon fibers for the Agni's re-entry heat shield. However, Agni's design team is dissatisfied with IIT's efforts and decides to import a six-axis filament-winding machine with computer controllers from West Germany using an Indian textile manufacturer as a front. DRDL also uses a front company to import equipment from the United States to impregnate graphite into carbon fiber used in the heat shield. These are ultimately used to develop carbon-carbon fibers for the Agni's re-entry vehicle. Four Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) and Council of Scientific & Industrial Research laboratories develop the carbon-carbon technology within 18 months. DRDL engineers J.C. Bhattacharya and K.V. Ramana Sai also decide to use two 16-bit Intel 8086 microprocessors for the Agni's onboard computation system.
[Note: Imports are routed through front companies to defeat missile-related technology denial controls informally instituted by the United States.]
—Raj Chengappa, "The Agni Pariksha," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000), pp. 346-348; A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," in Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), pp. 138-139.

1984-1985
The production capacity of the ammonium perchlorate (AP) experimental plant in Alwaye (Kerela) climbs to 160 tons annually.
—Gopal Raj, "Developing Competence in Solid Propulsion," Reach for the Stars: The Evolution of India's Rocket Programme (New Delhi: Viking by Penguin Books India, 2000), p. 99.

1985
Production of the Milan 2 anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) commences at Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh). The Milan ATGM is being produced under license from M/s Euromissile, France. [Note: Milan 2 is a "man portable" ATGM with a range of 25-2,000m. The missile has a length and weight of 1,200mm and 12.50kg, respectively.]
—"Bharat Dynamics Limited: Defence Production & Supply," Indian Armed Forces, <http://www.indianarmedforces.com/>; "Missiles: Milan 2 Anti-Tank Missile System," Department of Defence Production & Supplies: Ministry of Defence, (Government of India), p. 122, <http://www.defstand.gov.in>.

January 1985
Indian engineering giant Larsen & Toubro begins drawing up plans to build a heavy engineering workshop at Hazira (Gujarat) to build "plant equipment and modules for nuclear power plants, heavy water machinery, and rocket casings" for India's nuclear and space programs.
—Jagannath Dubashi, "Larsen & Toubro: Aiming High," India Today (New Delhi), 16-31 January 1985, p. 68.

March 1985
Indian government officials visit Washington to lay the groundwork for Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's June 1985 trip to the United States. They discuss the details of a broad umbrella agreement on high-grade technology transfers to India with Reagan administration officials. India's request for high-technology goods is reviewed favorably in Washington.
—Venugopala Rao, "India: Moving Closer to US Through Technology?," Inter Press Service, 5 March 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 5 March 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

3 May 1985
Indian and US officials say that they are close to reaching an agreement that will permit India to acquire highly advanced US technology, including technology with military applications.
—Steven R. Weisman, "US-India Technology Accord Gains," New York Times, 3 May 1985, p. 3; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 May 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

Summer 1985
The Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) completes groundwork for building the new missile technology research center at Imarat Kancha, (Andhra Pradesh).
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), p. 133.

12 June 1985
The Reagan administration agrees to sell advanced military technology and weaponry to India. However, the United States insists on Indian acceptance of tight safeguards to prevent the leakage of US defense secrets to "third countries." A US official says that the memorandum of understanding to put the agreement on high-technology transfers into effect has now been signed and procedures have been established to expeditiously process India's requests for computers, lasers, sensors, and other items with military applications.
—Michael Weisskopf and Don Oberdorfer, "U.S. to Offer Advanced Arms, Technology to India," Washington Post, 13 June 1985, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 13 June 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Bernard Weinraub, "Reagan-Gandhi Talks Touch on Arms," New York Times, 12 June 1985, p. 3, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 13 June 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

3 August 1985
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi lays the foundation stone for the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) at Imarat Kancha (Andhra Pradesh).
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), pp. 133.

August 1985
A senior team of Indian scientists and engineers led by the scientific advisor to the Defense Minister Dr. V.S. Arunachalam visits the United States at the invitation of the US Air Force. The team is on a visit to explore the prospects of high-tech and other defense-related cooperation with the United States. Team members include Roddam Narasimha of the National Aeronautical Laboratory (NAL), K.K. Ganapathy of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam of the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL).
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), p. 134.

16 September 1985
First test of the Trishul surface-to-air missile (SAM) from the Sriharikota High-Altitude Range (SHAR).
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), p. 136.

December 1985
First successful test of a pilotless target aircraft (PTA) occurs. The PTA, which can be launched from the ground or ships, "is a reusable, high-subsonic target," used for training gun and missile crews. The PTA's rocket motor, which is developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in Bangalore (Karnataka), draws on the technological spin-offs of the rocket motors for surface-to-air applications developed by the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in the late 1970s. The motor casing is made of "15CDV6 high-strength steel." The propellant is of "double base composition" and a "seven-grain multi-tubular configuration" is used. The motor is qualified for "various environmental conditions like vibration, drop, high- and low-temperature, cycling, saltmist, sand and dust, and rain." After conducting extensive static tests, DRDL contracts a small private-sector firm to produce a "reliable, air worthy, and high thrust-to-weight ratio rocket motor" with technological inputs from DRDL.
—A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari, "Propitiation," Wings of Fire: An Autobiography (Hyderabad: Universities Press (India) Limited, 1999), p. 137; J. Jayaraman, "Technological Advances and Cost Effectiveness of Unmanned Air Vehicle Systems," in H.S. Mukunda and A.V. Krishnamurty, eds., Recent Advances in Aerospace Sciences and Engineering: Volume II (Bangalore: Interline Publishing, 1992), p. 165; A. Subhananda Rao, "Development of Solid Propulsion Systems for Guided Missiles," in H.S. Mukunda and A.V. Krishnamurty, eds., Recent Advances in Aerospace Sciences and Engineering (Bangalore: Interline Publishing, 1992), p. 183.

October 1985
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi appoints his close confidante Arun Singh as Minister of State for defense.
—Sumit Mitra and Prabhu Chawla, "Cabinet Reshuffle: A Bold Experiment," India Today (New Delhi), 1-15 October 1985, p. 28.

October 1985
India expresses interest in purchasing one or two supercomputers from the United States for meteorological research and weather forecasting. The United States views the request unfavorably due to fears of potential technology leakages to the Soviet Block as well as concerns that the computers could be used for designing nuclear weapons. However, the Reagan administration approves the sa/le of six super minicomputers to India. A US State Department official says that the Indian request is still on the table but is unlikely to be approved. However, another Reagan administration official says that India's request is being seriously considered by the administration, and India would "get it [supercomputer] in time."
—Sanjoy Hazarika, "U.S. Said to Balk at Sale of Computer to India," New York Times, 16 October 1985, p. 17; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 October 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

October 1985
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) engineers demonstrate strap-on technology in a successful test of an RH-300 sounding rocket with two RH-200 strap-on motors. [Note: Strap-on refers to the "propulsive component of a launch vehicle attached to the core vehicle to augment its thrust, using either solid or liquid propellant."]
—Gopal Raj, "The ASLV: A Technological Bridge," Reach for the Stars: The Evolution of India's Rocket Programme (New Delhi: Viking by Penguin Books India, 2000), p. 130; Mark Williamson, Dictionary of Space Technology (New York: Adam Hilger, 1989), p. 333.

December 1985
The Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) maiden launch, which was earlier scheduled for December 1985, is delayed until March 1986. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) scientists attribute the delay to a 1984 cyclone, which submerged all the rocket test stands under a meter of water. In addition, Indian scientists are also facing difficulties in developing the rocket's closed loop guidance system, which was originally supposed to be deployed on the second ASLV flight.
—Raj Chengappa, "Space Programme: Sudden Snags," India Today (New Delhi), 16-30 April 1986, pp. 84-85.

	Updated July 2003