Rajnath Singh and Yogi Adityanath Flag-Off First Batch of BrahMos Missiles in Lucknow

Lucknow, 18 October 2025- In a landmark moment for India’s defence manufacturing drive, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath jointly flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles produced at the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow. The facility is part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, a project central to India’s vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” in defence.

The integration and testing centre was inaugurated virtually in May 2025, and within just five months, the first missiles have rolled out—signaling the rapid pace of indigenous defence capability development. Addressing the event, Rajnath Singh described BrahMos as more than a missile system: “It embodies India’s growing technological strength and strategic independence. With its supersonic speed, precision, and power, BrahMos has become the backbone of our Armed Forces,” he said.

The Defence Minister referred to the missile’s role in Operation Sindoor, noting that it proved the system’s real-world effectiveness. He declared that the missile’s operational reach now covers “every inch” of Pakistan’s territory. “The operation was just a glimpse. Our goal is to continually strengthen our capabilities,” he added.

Singh highlighted how the success of BrahMos has turned India into a defence exporter. Contracts worth ₹4,000 crore have been signed with two foreign nations in the past month, he said, adding that Lucknow will soon emerge as a global hub for missile technology. The facility’s annual output is projected at 100 missile systems, with an estimated turnover of ₹3,000 crore and ₹500 crore in GST collection from the next financial year.

The 200-acre centre, built at a cost of ₹380 crore, represents both a strategic and economic milestone. Singh underscored the importance of developing indigenous technologies for all components of advanced weapons, including seekers and ramjet engines. “If any external supplier refuses a critical part, production stops. To avoid this, we must empower domestic industries and keep the entire supply chain within India,” he said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed the BrahMos plant as a “missile of self-reliance,” expressing pride in Uttar Pradesh’s contribution to national defence. He noted that over 15,000 youth have gained employment through the state’s defence corridor, which has become a hub of innovation and manufacturing.

The Lucknow facility is the first in the corridor to manage complete missile assembly, integration, and testing domestically. Singh and Adityanath also inaugurated the Booster Building and observed a live booster docking demonstration. They reviewed key manufacturing units, including Airframe, Avionics, and Warhead sections, and inspected a mobile autonomous launcher display.

The event concluded with DG (BrahMos) Dr. Jaytirth R. Joshi handing over a GST cheque worth ₹40 crore to the Chief Minister, symbolising the revenue benefits of indigenous defence production. Top defence officials including UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat were also present.

The successful dispatch of the first BrahMos batch underscores India’s transformation from a defence importer to a strategic producer and exporter—solidifying its position as a key player in global security and innovation.