In a landmark moment for India’s defence capabilities, Lucknow will witness the inauguration of a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile production unit on Sunday, significantly boosting the nation’s self-reliance in military manufacturing. The facility is a vital component of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UP DIC).
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (virtually from Delhi) and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will inaugurate the unit, along with the Titanium and Super Alloys Materials Plant, further solidifying UP’s emergence as a strategic defence manufacturing hub.
The event will also see the opening of the BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility, vital for the assembly and quality validation of India’s most advanced missile systems.
“This facility will manufacture the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile, BrahMos—an Indo-Russian joint venture known for its speed (Mach 2.8), precision, and multi-platform capability,” a government release noted.
Key Highlights:
- Investment: ₹300 crore
- Area: 80 hectares (provided free by the UP government)
- Completion Time: 3.5 years
- Missile Specs: Range 290–400 km, Speed Mach 2.8, “Fire and Forget” technology
- Use: Deployable from land, sea, and air
Alongside this, the foundation stone will be laid for a Defence Testing Infrastructure System (DTIS) at the Lucknow node, ensuring that products undergo rigorous testing and certification.
Strategic Infrastructure
This milestone is part of the UP Defence Industrial Corridor announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, with six critical nodes—Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Aligarh, Agra, and Chitrakoot. These locations benefit from their proximity to high-speed logistics routes like the Purvanchal and Ganga Expressways, facilitating efficient movement of defence materials and finished products.
Boost to Make in India and Startups
UP is the second state after Tamil Nadu to establish a defence corridor, aiming to reduce dependence on imports and stimulate domestic defence production. The corridor is being developed under the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) and aligns with the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. It also encourages participation from private players, MSMEs, and startups in the defence ecosystem.
Ceremony Features
- DRDO Secretary Dr. Sameer V. Kamat will deliver the welcome speech.
- Sachin Agarwal, Chairman of PTC Industries, will highlight private sector contributions.
- Short films will showcase BrahMos technology, the Titanium plant, and UP’s defence corridor progress.