Rajnath Singh, Yogi Adityanath flag off first batch of BrahMos missiles from Lucknow facility

Lucknow, October 18. In a major boost to India’s defence manufacturing and self-reliance drive, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on October 18 flagged off the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles produced at the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow.

The state-of-the-art facility, inaugurated virtually by the Defence Minister in May 2025, is part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) and has readied its first set of missiles for deployment in just five months – a milestone hailed as a testament to India’s expanding indigenous capabilities.

‘BrahMos is a symbol of India’s indigenous strength’

Describing BrahMos as more than just a missile, Rajnath Singh said it embodied India’s technological progress and defence self-sufficiency.

“BrahMos combines speed, precision, and power – making it one of the best systems in the world and the backbone of our armed forces,” he said.

Referring to the missile’s performance during Operation Sindoor, Singh said it demonstrated India’s strategic reach and deterrence capabilities.

“Every inch of Pakistan’s territory is within BrahMos’s range. Operation Sindoor was just a trailer – it has made our adversaries realise what might follow,” he asserted.

Export success and economic impact

Highlighting the global recognition of the missile system, the Defence Minister said the BrahMos team has recently signed contracts worth around Rs. 4,000 crore with two countries. From next year, the Lucknow facility is expected to achieve a turnover of Rs. 3,000 crore and contribute ₹Rs. 500 crore in GST revenue.

Singh emphasised that projects like BrahMos are not just defence assets but also engines of economic growth.

“Each missile produced contributes not only to national security but also to the nation’s development through revenue generation,” he said, noting that taxes from a single missile could fund schools, hospitals, and welfare schemes.

Call to strengthen defence supply chains

Amid reports of global supply chain disruptions, Singh stressed the importance of developing indigenous suppliers for spare parts and sub-systems.

“We must empower small industries so that we are never dependent on others for critical components,” he said, urging a comprehensive roadmap to integrate small entrepreneurs into the defence ecosystem.

He expressed confidence that the UP Defence Industrial Corridor would evolve into a hub of innovation and employment, with both large and small enterprises contributing to the state’s industrial and strategic growth.

A missile of ‘Aatmanirbharta’: Yogi Adityanath

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described BrahMos as a “missile of Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance),” crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh for giving Lucknow a pivotal role in India’s march towards self-reliance.

“The BrahMos manufactured in Lucknow ensures the safety and prosperity of the nation,” he said, adding that over 15,000 youth have already been employed across the six nodes of the UP Defence Industrial Corridor.

Strategic and industrial milestone

Built on 200 acres at a cost of Rs. 380 crore, the Lucknow facility handles the complete assembly, integration, and testing of BrahMos missiles, producing up to 100 systems annually. It is the first unit in the corridor to manage the entire manufacturing process indigenously, underscoring India’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ commitment.

During the event, Singh and Adityanath also inaugurated the Booster Building and witnessed a live demonstration of the booster docking process. They reviewed other key installations, including airframe, avionics, and warhead sections, as well as the BrahMos simulator and a mobile launcher display.

The ceremony concluded with BrahMos DG Dr Jaytirth R Joshi handing over a GST cheque of Rs. 40 crore to the Chief Minister, symbolising the project’s contribution to the state exchequer.

Senior officials, including UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat, were also present at the ceremony.