Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles manufactured at the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow.
This marks a major milestone in India’s defence manufacturing drive to cater not only the domestic needs but feed the lucrative export market.
The BrahMos facility, a key node in the UP Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) became operational five months after its virtual inauguration in May 2025.
Terming BrahMos as more than just a missile, Rajnath 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 noted.
“Every inch of Pakistan’s territory is now within the reach of BrahMos,” the union 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 observed.
Built at a cost of ₹380 crore, the 200-acre BrahMos facility in Lucknow will produce around 100 missile systems annually.
Singh said the project is not only a strategic asset but a catalyst for employment and economic development in the region.
From the next financial year, the unit is expected to generate a turnover of ₹3,000 crore and contribute around ₹500 crore in GST.
The Defence Minister revealed that BrahMos Aerospace has signed export contracts worth approximately ₹4,000 crore with two countries last 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 Narendra Modi government is working on a roadmap to integrate small and medium enterprises into the defence production ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Yogi hailed the development as a milestone in the journey of Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance).
“The BrahMos missile is a symbol of India’s strength and self-sufficiency,” he said, adding over 15,000 youths have already secured employment through initiatives under the UPDIC.
They also inaugurated the Booster Building and reviewed key components of the missile production process, including the Airframe and Avionics section, Warhead buildings, and the BrahMos simulator.
A demonstration of the mobile autonomous launcher and booster docking process was also organised during the visit.
Director General of BrahMos Aerospace, Dr Jaytirth R Joshi, handed over a GST cheque of approximately ₹40 crore to the UP CM, highlighting the revenue potential of the facility.
The BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow is the first in the UPDIC to handle the entire process — from assembly to testing — of a strategic missile system.