Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday will inaugurate the BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow, a major milestone in India’s pursuit of defence self-reliance. The facility, developed under the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UP DIC), is set to significantly enhance India’s missile production capabilities, particularly for the next-generation BRAHMOS system.
According to the Defence Minister’s Office, Singh will inaugurate the facility virtually at around 11:00 AM. This marks a follow-up to the foundation stone he laid on December 26, 2021, for both the Defence Technology & Test Centre (DTTC) and the BRAHMOS Manufacturing Centre in Lucknow, established by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
The Defence Technologies & Test Centre, spread across 22 acres, is the first of its kind in India. It is designed to catalyze the growth of defence and aerospace manufacturing in the region. It will serve as a centralized hub for advanced defence technology infrastructure, reducing the time required for product development and system induction through its six sub-centres. It also aims to support industries, startups, and academic institutions in the UP DIC by facilitating access to DRDO’s intellectual property, patents, and technologies.
Adjacent to this, the BrahMos Manufacturing Centre spans over 200 acres and is equipped to produce the BRAHMOS-NG (Next Generation) supersonic cruise missile. This new variant will be smaller, lighter, and optimized for use across a broader range of platforms, including land, sea, air, and underwater systems.
BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India and Russia, has been behind one of the world’s most successful missile programmes. The BRAHMOS missile, renowned for its speed, precision, and versatility, has significantly bolstered India’s strategic deterrence capabilities. The introduction of the BRAHMOS-NG variant is expected to further strengthen the Indian Armed Forces’ operational flexibility and technological edge.
The inauguration of this facility not only underscores the central government’s commitment to boosting domestic defence production but also aligns with the vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). It is also expected to generate employment and attract investment into the state’s growing defence manufacturing sector.
