New Delhi: A major step in India’s defence manufacturing journey was marked on National Technology Day as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow. The facility, part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, will produce one of the world’s most advanced supersonic cruise missiles—BrahMos.
Though unable to attend in person due to prevailing national circumstances, Singh addressed the gathering via video conference. “I really wanted to be present with you today, but the situation demanded my presence in Delhi. Still, I am delighted to join you virtually,” he said.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Today is National Technology Day. On this day in 1998, under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, our scientists conducted nuclear tests in Pokhran and showed India’s might to the world. That test was the result of the tireless efforts of our scientists, engineers, defence personnel and many other stakeholders.”
The Defence Minister also touched upon the recent success of Operation Sindoor, calling it a symbol of India’s “political, social and strategic willpower.” Without naming Pakistan directly, he said the armed forces had struck deep into enemy territory to dismantle terrorist infrastructure responsible for attacking the “crown of Bharat Mata—Kashmir.” Singh said, “Even land beyond the border won’t be safe for terrorists and their leaders if they attack India.”
What makes the plant special
The newly inaugurated BrahMos missile production facility in Lucknow is a major step towards strengthening India’s defence manufacturing capabilities. This state-of-the-art plant will produce high-quality components for the aerospace and defence sectors, contributing to critical missions like Chandrayaan and advanced fighter jets.
The facility is part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, a flagship initiative announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018 and actively promoted by the Yogi Adityanath government. Uttar Pradesh is only the second state after Tamil Nadu to host such a corridor, both of which are key elements of the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ missions. These corridors aim to reduce India’s dependence on defence imports, boost indigenous production, and generate employment.
Built at a cost of Rs 300 crore, the Lucknow facility will manufacture 80 to 100 BrahMos missiles annually. The BrahMos, developed through an India-Russia joint venture, is the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile. It can strike targets within a range of 290–400 km at a speed of Mach 2.8 (nearly three times the speed of sound). The missile supports launches from land, air, and sea platforms and follows a ‘fire and forget’ trajectory, making it highly accurate and difficult to intercept by enemy radars.
