In a historic stride for India’s defence sector, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday flagged off the first batch of indigenously manufactured BrahMos missiles at the BrahMos Aerospace production facility in Lucknow, marking a defining moment in India’s journey toward defence self-reliance.
The ceremony also featured a virtual BrahMos strike demonstration conducted through the Indian Air Force’s SU-30 fighter jet, underscoring India’s growing indigenous technological capabilities. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, DRDO Chief Dr. Samir V. Kamat, and BrahMos DG Jaiteerth R. Joshi were also present at the event.
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A New Chapter in India’s Defence Manufacturing
The Lucknow-based BrahMos unit, part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor, will manufacture around 100 BrahMos missiles annually, supplying them to the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The missiles, jointly developed by India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, have long served as the backbone of India’s strategic deterrence.
Speaking at the event, Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement as a “symbol of India’s growing confidence and strength.” He remarked,
“Along with BrahMos’ credibility, Lucknow’s credibility has also grown. This facility not only strengthens our armed forces but proves that Uttar Pradesh can now meet any internal or external challenge.”
He further praised Yogi Adityanath’s leadership in transforming Uttar Pradesh into a technology-driven defence hub, shedding its past image and embracing industrial modernity.
“Moment of Accomplishment”: CM Yogi Adityanath
Calling it a “moment of accomplishment”, CM Yogi Adityanath said that the project was a realisation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Make in India’ and a major step in building an Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.
“This missile represents India’s self-reliance in defence needs. Through BrahMos, we are capable of ensuring the security of our nation and that of friendly countries,” he stated.
CM Yogi Adityanath also highlighted the project’s economic and employment impact, noting that over 2,500 acres of land had been provided for six defence nodes, creating 15,000 jobs and generating significant state revenue through GST on production.
Rajnath Singh: “What Happened in Operation Sindoor Was Just a Trailer”
Referring to the BrahMos’s role in Operation Sindoor, India’s swift and precise response to Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, Rajnath Singh said,
“BrahMos proved to be decisive during Operation Sindoor. What happened then was just a trailer. That alone made Pakistan realise what India is capable of.”
The Defence Minister emphasised that the BrahMos production in Lucknow represents not just industrial growth, but a strategic shield ensuring India’s security independence amid rising global tensions and disrupted defence supply chains.
Engineering Excellence: The Power of BrahMos
The BrahMos missile, known for its supersonic speed of 2.8 Mach, dual-stage propulsion, and pinpoint precision, remains one of the fastest cruise missiles in the world. Its versatility across land, sea, and air platforms makes it the cornerstone of India’s offensive and defensive capabilities.
Each missile carries a 200 kg conventional warhead, capable of striking targets up to 290 km away with minimal reaction time, operating under the ‘Fire and Forget’ principle.
The Lucknow facility, built on 200 acres at a cost of ₹380 crore, will not only serve India’s defence forces but also position the nation as a key global exporter of advanced missile systems.
A Defining Step Toward Defence Sovereignty
The flagging-off event cements India’s position among the world’s few nations capable of producing high-precision supersonic missile systems. More importantly, it embodies the success of the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, where indigenous research, local manufacturing, and national security converge.
With the first batch rolling out from Lucknow, India signals to the world that it is not only ready to defend itself with its own technology, but also ready to lead in next-generation defence innovation.
