Rajnath Singh inaugurates BrahMos Integration & Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday virtually inaugurated the BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility at the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) in Lucknow.

The ₹300-crore, 200-acre facility will integrate booster subassemblies, avionics, propellant, and ramjet engines, with design and administrative blocks also planned.

It will manufacture one of the world's fastest supersonic cruise missiles, with a range of 290 to 400 km and a top speed of Mach 2.8.

Singh described BrahMos as not only one of the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missiles but also a symbol of the Indian Armed Forces' strength, a deterrent to adversaries, and a testament to India’s commitment to border security.

The missile, a product of BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India and Russia, can be launched from land, sea, or air and uses a "fire and forget" system.

Highlighting the government's ‘Make-in-India, Make-for-the-World’ vision, Singh said self-reliance in defence means meeting India’s security needs while positioning the country as a key global exporter.

Citing a 2024 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report, which pegged global military expenditure at $2,718 billion, he urged India to seize this market opportunity.

"The launch of the BrahMos facility is a firm stride towards making India a significant player in the world’s defence production ecosystem," Singh said.

Brahmos Aerospace has selected 36 trainees for the operation of the facility, five of whom were felicitated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the inauguration.

The complex will foster skill development for industry, entrepreneurs, and students, reducing migration for jobs by creating an ecosystem of ancillary and sub-assembly industries, according to an official readout.

Singh said 180 MoUs worth Rs 34,000 crore have been signed for the corridor, with ₹4,000 crore already invested in aircraft manufacturing, UAVs, drones, ammunition, and critical materials.

“Major investments have been made in Aircraft manufacturing, UAVs, Drones, Ammunition, Composite & Critical materials, Small Arms, Textile and Parachute etc. The highlight is that the participation of both public sector and the private sectors are being witnessed,” the defence minister said.

“In Lucknow itself, titanium and super alloy material plants are being started by PTC Industries Limited. In addition, the foundation of seven additional critical projects is being laid. This would accelerate the pace of India's self-reliance in the defence sector,” it added.