Rajnath Singh inaugurates Rs 300 Cr BrahMos Aerospace Facility in Lucknow
The new Rs 300 crore facility in Uttar Pradesh's Defence Industrial Corridor aims to enhance India's missile production capabilities amid rising regional tensions.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday virtually inaugurated the BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. This state-of-the-art facility, constructed at a cost of ₹300 crore, is part of India's strategic push to enhance indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.
Located within the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, the facility spans over 200 acres and is designed to produce up to 100 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles annually. Developed through a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, the BrahMos missile boasts a range of 290 to 400 km and a top speed of Mach 2.8. It is capable of being launched from land, sea, or air platforms and operates on a "fire and forget" guidance system.
In addition to the standard BrahMos variants, the facility will also manufacture the next-generation BrahMos-NG missiles. These advanced versions are expected to weigh approximately 1,290 kilograms, a significant reduction from the current 2,900 kilograms, allowing platforms like the Sukhoi fighter jet to carry up to three BrahMos-NG missiles simultaneously. The next-generation missiles will have an extended strike range exceeding 300 kilometers, enhancing their operational versatility.
The inauguration ceremony also marked the launch of the Titanium and Super Alloys Materials Plant, known as the Strategic Materials Technology Complex. This facility will produce high-grade materials essential for aerospace and defence manufacturing. Additionally, the foundation stone for the Defence Testing Infrastructure System (DTIS) was laid, which will serve as a hub for testing and certifying various defence products.
The BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility is a significant milestone in India's journey towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing. It underscores the nation's commitment to strengthening its indigenous capabilities and enhancing its strategic deterrence posture. The establishment of this facility is expected to create numerous employment opportunities and foster technological advancements in the region.
The Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, which encompasses six nodes—Lucknow, Kanpur, Aligarh, Agra, Jhansi, and Chitrakoot—was initiated to attract substantial investments in defence manufacturing. Uttar Pradesh is the second state, after Tamil Nadu, to establish such a corridor, reinforcing its emerging role in the nation's security and strategic manufacturing landscape.
This development comes at a time of heightened military tensions with Pakistan, following the recent Operation Sindoor. The inauguration of the BrahMos facility is seen as a strategic move to bolster India's defence preparedness and enhance its deterrence capabilities in the region.