Popularly known as the Missile Woman of India and Agnipurti, Dr Tessy Thomas was the first woman to lead a major missile development project in the country, steering the Agni-IV and Agni-V programmes.
She joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) in 1988.
In 2009, she became the project director for the Agni IV ballistic missile, leading the development of a state-of-the-art missile system incorporating several new technologies and successfully flight-testing it.
She also served as Project Director (Mission) for the long-range Agni-V missile, overseeing its successful development and flight testing.
As former Director General of aeronautical systems at DRDO, she played a pivotal role in strengthening India's strategic self-reliance in advanced defence technology.
