Hyderabad: K. Murali, a veteran scientist with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has officially taken over as Director of the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL), Hyderabad. He assumed charge on July 1, succeeding N. Srinivas Rao, who retired on June 30.
With over three decades of experience in electronic warfare (EW), Murali has played a pivotal role in the development and deployment of key EW systems for the Indian armed forces. Since joining DLRL in 1991 as a Scientist–B, he has contributed to several high-impact defence technologies, including radio frequency seekers and counter-drone solutions.
Murali is expected to lead DLRL’s strategic projects in cyber-electronic warfare integration, AI-driven threat response, and unmanned defence systems—critical areas shaping the future of India’s defence landscape.
DLRL, a key laboratory under the DRDO, has been at the forefront of developing integrated electronic warfare (EW) systems for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force for over six decades. The appointment of K. Murali as Director comes at a crucial juncture, as the scope of electronic warfare continues to expand in modern defence—particularly in surveillance, threat detection, and countermeasure technologies.
A native of Hyderabad, Murali holds a Bachelor of Science from Osmania University (1988) and a Master’s degree in Computer Science Engineering from the University of Mysore (1990). Since joining DLRL in 1991, he has played a vital role in the development of strategic systems, including radio frequency seekers and counter-drone technologies.
Beyond technical innovation, Murali has actively fostered collaboration between DRDO, academic institutions, and the private sector, accelerating the growth of indigenous defence capabilities. As Director, he is expected to lead DLRL’s next phase of innovation, focusing on cyber-electronic warfare integration, unmanned defence platforms, and AI-enabled threat response systems.
