In a pivotal moment for India’s defense capabilities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a sprawling 200-acre BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow through a virtual ceremony. This advanced manufacturing unit, established by BrahMos Aerospace—a collaboration between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya—marks a significant step toward achieving self-sufficiency in missile production.
The inauguration, which occurred at 11 AM IST, is a crucial development within the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, aligning with India’s vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” or self-reliant India. With an investment of ₹300 crore, the facility is projected to manufacture between 80 to 100 BrahMos missiles annually, including the anticipated next-generation BrahMos-NG variant.
The BrahMos missile, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, plays a vital role in India’s defense strategy, characterized by its supersonic speed of Mach 2.8 and its adaptability across various platforms—land, sea, air, and submarine. This new facility in Lucknow will not only enhance missile production but will also support essential testing processes, thereby strengthening India’s deterrent and strike capabilities amidst escalating regional tensions.
The timing of this facility’s inauguration is particularly strategic. Just days prior, India activated its Russian-made S-400 air defense system, designed to intercept missiles from Pakistan, underscoring the urgent demand for robust and self-sufficient defense systems. The S-400, renowned for its range of 40 to 400 kilometers, stands among the world’s leading defense technologies, acquired under a 2018 treaty with Russia.
BrahMos Aerospace continues to innovate with next-generation technologies, including the BrahMos-II hypersonic missile, projected to exceed Mach 5. Modeled after Russia’s 3M22 Zircon, this development promises to significantly bolster India’s strike capabilities. Furthermore, the Indian Navy has placed an order for 220 extended-range BrahMos missiles, set to achieve a range of 800 km, with plans for future variants to extend up to 1,500 km.
The Lucknow segment of the Defence Industrial Corridor is rapidly developing into a hub for defense production. In addition to the BrahMos facility, more than 117 hectares have been designated for 12 companies, including Aerolloy Technologies, which has provided materials for significant missions such as Chandrayaan and supports fighter aircraft manufacturing. According to officials from the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), a total of 1,600 hectares have been allocated in the inaugural phase of the corridor, which is attracting leading enterprises through strategic memorandums of understanding (MOUs).
India’s entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016 has paved the way for these advancements. The establishment of the BrahMos facility in Lucknow not only enhances India’s military posture but also serves as a testament to the nation’s indigenous capabilities and strategic autonomy amid a landscape of intricate geopolitical challenges.
