| Defence Science and Technology Organization | |
|---|---|
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | Sometime between 1963 |
| Preceding agency | Strategic Plans Division (SPD) |
| Jurisdiction | Pakistan's government |
| Headquarters | Classified |
| Employees | Highly Classified |
| Annual budget | Highly Classified |
| Agency executive | Major-General Abdul Aziz Soomro, PA, Director-General |
| Website | |
| not known | |
The Defence Science and Technology Organization, best known as DESTO, is a government agency of responsible for the development military technology use by the military, as well as promotion of military funding of science, located in Rawalpindi, Punjab province of Pakistan.[1] DESTO is an independent science and defence research organization, known for its research in aerospace and satellite technology.[2] The profiles and information of the DESTO's scientists, executive officers, and engineers working are not known.
DESTO's research and development activities cover a variety of disciplines, which include aerodynamics, rocket propulsion, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering defense electronics, computer systems, engineering, propellants, explosives, materials, satellite technology, and chemical and biological defense.[2] Due to heavy contribution to the science and technology as well as defence work, DESTO has emerged as one of the most known institution and is considered as one of the secret science organization and agency in Pakistan due to its secrecy.[1]
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The establishment of DESTO was the brainchild and dream of Abdul Hafeez, a weapon scientist and a radiochemist.[3] DESTO was established by the military scientists belonging to Pakistan Armed Forces, in 1963, to serve the Pakistan Armed Forces by undertaking basic and applied research and reverse engineering.[3]
The DESTO performs under the auspicious of Ministry of Defence and it is a principal research and development agency. DESTO conducts research and development on weapon systems, technology, and renders technical advice on weapons-related scientific and technological issues to the Government of Pakistan.[3]
DESTO is perhaps better known for its research in the aeronautics, satellite technology, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering.[3] DESTO has been involved deeply in Pakistan's space program and have helped SUPARCO in manufacturing the liquid and solid propollent motors technology.[3] DESTO's scientist has been involved in Pakistan's military-purpose space program and has succussfully developed the surveillance electronics system for the Badr-B satellite.[3]
DESTO's research and development activities cover a variety of disciplines, which include aerodynamics, propulsion, defense electronics, computer systems, engineering, propellants, explosives, materials, and chemical and biological defense.[3] Besides providing research and development support to other defense research and production agencies in Pakistan, DESTO also provides support to government-owned public sector companies.[3]
In 1974, following the surprise India's nuclear test — codename Smiling Buddha. Munir Ahmad Khan, and with Abdus Salam, chaired a meeting with the officials of DESTO.[4] Dr. Zaman Sheikh, a chemical engineer from DESTO, was tasked to developed chemical explosive lenses, tampers, and triggering mechanized system, necessary in the technology of the fission weapon.[4] The codename for this project was Wah Group Scientists (WGS), and the work was done in the Metallurgical Laboratory at the Wah Cantonment in 1978.[4] Later, it was renamed as Directorate for Technical Development (DTD), and was charged with the testing of the weapons.[4] After Pakistan conducted nuclear tests — codename Chagai-I and II — in May 1998, the United States Government identified and sanctioned DESTO for involvement in Pakistan's nuclear and missile programs.[4] However, the details of its contribution to Pakistan's ballistic missile programs remain classified.[4] However, after Pakistan's heavy contribution on War on terror, the United States Government uplifted the sanctions on DESTO.[4]
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