BrahMos Manufacturing to Begin in Lucknow Amid Border Tensions

The production of BrahMos, the world’s most powerful supersonic cruise missile, will officially begin in Lucknow with the inauguration of its manufacturing unit on May 11, according to the Uttar Pradesh government. This marks a major step in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities, marking a historic milestone in India’s defence manufacturing journey.

“Amid rising India-Pakistan tension, setting up the BrahMos missile unit in Uttar Pradesh is a major strategic move. It will bolster India’s military strength and position the state as a key contributor to national security and defence-driven development,” said an official statement.

The facility is being set up by BrahMos Aerospace with a Rs 300 crore investment. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the unit, whose target is to produce 80 to 100 missiles annually. It was first announced as part of the Defence Industrial Corridor initiative unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018 during the global investors' summit. It has six nodes consisting of Lucknow, Kanpur, Aligarh, Agra, Jhansi and Chitrakoot. Its foundation stone was laid in 2021, and the facility now stands as a key milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

“The inauguration of the BrahMos unit worth Rs 300 crore will certainly be a big boost to the project in the state. About 1,600 hectares of land have been allotted for the defence corridor project in the first phase, with big companies having already signed MOUs. We are also in talks with BHEL for one of its units to come here,” said a senior government office at Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPIEDA), which is the nodal agency for the project, The Indian Express reported.

Nearly 80 acres of land have been allocated for the BrahMos manufacturing facility. Overall, 117 hectares have been allotted in the Lucknow node of the Defence Industrial Corridor to 12 companies, including Aerolloy Technologies. Officials noted that Aerolloy's products have been used in key national projects like the Chandrayaan space missions and in the manufacturing of fighter jets.

It will also be the first-of-its-kind hi-tech unit in the state.