Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: MARKING a major milestone in India’s defence manufacturing drive, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on October 18 flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles produced at the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow.
The facility, a key node in the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, began operations just five months after its virtual inauguration in May.
Describing the BrahMos as more than just a missile, Singh called it a “symbol of India’s growing indigenous defence capabilities.” The supersonic missile, known for its speed, accuracy, and destructive power, has become the backbone of India’s armed forces, he said.
“Every inch of Pakistan’s territory is now within the reach of BrahMos,” the minister said, referencing Operation Sindoor — a recent military operation where the missile reportedly played a decisive role. “The operation was just a trailer. It has made Pakistan realise what might follow,” he added. Built at a cost of Rs 380 crore, the 200-acre facility in Lucknow will produce around 100 missile systems annually.
Singh said the project is not only a strategic asset but also a catalyst for employment and economic development in the region. From the next financial year, the unit is expected to generate a turnover of Rs 3,000 crore and contribute around Rs 500 crore in GST.
Singh revealed that BrahMos Aerospace has signed export contracts worth approximately Rs 4,000 crore with two countries in the past month. He expressed confidence that Lucknow would emerge as a hub of defence technology and knowledge exchange, attracting global attention.
Highlighting the need for self-reliance, Singh stressed the importance of developing indigenous supply chains. “We must develop all types of technologies within India so that our supply chain remains secure and independent,” he said. The Government is working on a roadmap to integrate small and medium enterprises into the defence production ecosystem.