By N. C. Bipindra

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh): India marked a historic milestone in its journey toward defence self-reliance on Oct.18, 2925, as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off the first batch of supersonic BrahMos missiles produced at the Lucknow unit of BrahMos Aerospace Limited.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described BrahMos as “the most capable weapon to protect not only India but also friendly nations across the world.”

He said the production of BrahMos missiles in Lucknow, realised through the efforts of Rajnath Singh, fulfilled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ vision and strengthened the nation’s security and industrial base.

“BrahMos has become a symbol of national prosperity. When citizens feel safe, they can sleep peacefully and Lucknow-made BrahMos missiles ensure that safety. This is a proud moment for Uttar Pradesh and for India,” Yogi said.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the success of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), first announced during the 2018 Investors Summit.

Work across its six nodes — Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Aligarh, Jhansi, and Chitrakoot — is progressing steadily, with key projects like Bharat Dynamics Limited in Jhansi and AK-203 rifles in Amethi. Over 2,500 acres have been allotted, generating employment for more than 15,000 youth.

Adityanath added that the BrahMos facility employs graduates from ITIs, polytechnics, and engineering colleges, aligning youth employment with national defence goals. Two Centers of Excellence, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and IIT BHU, are also being set up to foster innovation in defence technology.

The Chief Minister announced that the Lucknow unit will produce around 100 BrahMos missiles annually, with plans to scale up to 150, generating INR 150 crore to INR 200 crore in GST revenue. The plant’s turnover is expected to reach INR 3,000 crore, while contributing nearly INR 5,000 crore annually in GST in the coming years.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the country’s growing defence capabilities and cited the success of Operation Sindoor as a symbol of India’s new strategic confidence. “Victory is no longer rare for India; it has become our habit,” he declared.

India had extensively used the BrahMos missiles during the May 2025 Operation Sindoor against terror camps inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. When Pakistan escalated the anti-terror operations into a military conflict, India responded by destroying Pakistan’s military infrastructure and assets at 11 air bases and military stations across the length and breadth of the western neighbour.

Sending a strong message to adversaries, Rajnath Singh said, “Our enemies can no longer escape the reach of BrahMos. Every inch of Pakistani territory is within its range.” He also revealed that BrahMos Aerospace had signed contracts worth INR 4,000 crore with two foreign countries in just one month.

Located in Bhatgaon, Sarojini Nagar, the Lucknow facility, inaugurated in May 2025, is equipped with advanced systems for missile integration, testing, and quality assurance. The plant represents one of the most significant achievements under the UP Defence Corridor, capable of managing the entire process from assembly to final trials.

With the rollout of the first BrahMos missile batch, Uttar Pradesh has firmly positioned itself as a key player in India’s “Make in India, Make for the World” mission, driving both strategic autonomy and industrial prosperity.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, and senior officials of BrahMos Aerospace were also present at the ceremony.

The successful dispatch from Lucknow marks not just a technological triumph but also a moment of pride, a powerful symbol of India’s rising defence manufacturing capability and its march toward global leadership in advanced missile systems.

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