Rajnath Singh Inaugurates BrahMos Missile Unit in Lucknow Amid Tensions with Pakistan

In a major strategic boost, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile production unit on Sunday at the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor in Lucknow. The high-capacity unit is expected to produce 80–100 BrahMos missiles annually, amid escalating military tensions with Pakistan.

Built at a cost of ₹300 crore, the facility will manufacture the BrahMos missile—jointly developed by India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. Known for its top speed of Mach 2.8 and a range between 290 to 400 km, the missile features a "fire and forget" system, capable of being launched from land, sea, or air platforms.

Alongside the production unit, the newly established Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility was also launched. This state-of-the-art centre will not only support missile assembly but also boost India’s rapid-response capabilities.

The event also marked the beginning of the production of next-generation BrahMos missiles, which are lighter (1,290 kg) but deadlier, with an extended range of over 300 km. These upgraded versions will allow Sukhoi fighter jets to carry up to three missiles, tripling their firepower compared to current loadouts.

This launch is part of the broader Defence Industrial Corridor initiative, announced by PM Narendra Modi during the 2018 Global Investors’ Summit, with the foundation stone for this specific unit laid in 2021.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath, present at the event, emphasized the missile’s deterrent strength, stating,
"If anyone missed it, they could ask Pakistan about its power."

The combined manufacturing and integration capacity of this facility is expected to dramatically enhance India’s defence preparedness, especially under the current Operation Sindoor developments.