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Rajnath Singh inaugurates BrahMos supersonic missile plant in Lucknow
Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday inaugurated the BrahMos Aerospace plant in Lucknow.
Rajnath Singh, who joined the event virtually from New Delhi, highlighted that BrahMos is among the fastest supersonic cruise missiles in the world. 'BrahMos is not just a weapon. It is a message of the Indian armed forces' strength, deterrence capability, resilience, and commitment to safeguarding our borders,' he said.
The ₹300 crore facility, part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), was launched on National Technology Day, marking the anniversary of India's 1998 nuclear tests at Pokhran. The unit aims to produce 80 to 100 supersonic cruise missiles each year.
BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPOM, aimed at developing next-generation supersonic missiles for domestic and export markets.
Quoting former President and 'Missile Man' Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, Rajnath recalled: 'Unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. In this world, fear has no place. Only strength respects strength.'
Singh outlined the vision to develop Uttar Pradesh into a major hub for defence manufacturing and military exports, supporting India's goal of achieving defence self-reliance.
He lauded the Yogi Aditynath government for completing the facility in 40 months. The state provided nearly 200 acres of land for the project virtually free of cost. 'In the current global climate, it is critical that such strategic projects are completed on time,' Rajnath noted.
Singh also inaugurated a second defence unit, Aerolloy Technologies Limited (ATL), a subsidiary of Lucknow-based PTC Industries, which specialises in titanium and superalloy components for aerospace and defence applications.
The UPDIC, spread across six nodes -- Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Aligarh, and Agra, aims to attract investments to the tune of ₹50,000 crore.
So far, 57 MoUs worth nearly ₹30,000 crore have been signed with major players like Bharat Dynamics, Adani Defence, Godrej, and L&T. Key products include UAVs, drones, small arms, and aircraft.
Rajnath pointed out that a vast global market for defence and military exports awaits India's growing defence industry. The government aims to double India's aerospace and defence production to $25 billion and increase exports to $5 billion by the end of this year.
Turning to national security, Singh stated that the Indian Armed Forces had responded decisively to the Pahalgam attack under Operation Sindoor. 'Operation Sindoor is not just a military campaign—it reflects the political, social, and diplomatic will of India,' he said. 'We've shown that when India acts against terrorism, neither terrorists nor their sponsors will find safe haven, inside or outside our borders.'
The operation targeted anti-India terror infrastructure deep within Pakistan, including areas near Rawalpindi, while avoiding harm to civilians. He held Pakistan responsible for attacks on Indian citizens and places of worship.
Rajnath added that the global community first saw the consequences of cross-border terrorism during the 2016 Uri attack, after which Indian forces carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan. Following the Pahalgam incident, multiple strikes were again conducted.
He reiterated that India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reflects the resolve of a 'New India'—one that will respond with strength both within and beyond its borders.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the BrahMos plant would further the ambitious 'Make in India' vision and praised the successful execution of Operation Sindoor. He reaffirmed UP's commitment to supporting defence investors across the six UPDIC nodes.
'The time has come to completely eliminate terrorism. It cannot be curbed with soft words but with decisive action,' he said.
Also present at the event were DRDO Secretary Samir V Kamat, BrahMos DG Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi, UP Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, and UP Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh.
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