Tessy Thomas

Project direction for the Agni-IV ballistic missile began under Tessy Thomas in 2009, marking a significant advancement in Indian aerospace engineering. Born in 1963 in Alappuzha, she joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation in 1985, eventually focusing her expertise on the development of guidance systems and solid propellant technology for the Agni missile series.

Academic Foundation

Thomas completed her B.Tech at the Government Engineering College in Thrissur. She continued her specialized studies by earning an M.Tech in Guided Missile from the Institute of Armament Technology in Pune. During this period, she also held a position as a faculty member at the institute, establishing an early balance between academic instruction and technical research.

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Missile Development Career

In 1988, Thomas began her tenure at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory located in Hyderabad. Her technical focus remained on designing sophisticated guidance systems essential for ballistic missiles. She served as Assistant Project Director during the successful launch of the Agni-III in May 2008. By 2009, her leadership role expanded when she was named project director for the Agni-IV project.

Recognitions and Contributions

Her body of research includes publications on guidance schemes for solid-propelled vehicles and the management of online trajectory reshaping for launch vehicles. In recognition of her efforts toward achieving national self-reliance in missile technology, she received the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award in 2012. Her subsequent accolades include the 2018 Dr Thomas Cangan Leadership Award, the 2023 ETPrime Women Leadership Award, and the 2025 Paulos Mar Gregorios Award.