India flags off first BrahMos batch from Lucknow: A milestone in self-reliance

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles at the BrahMos Aerospace Production Unit in Lucknow, marking a significant step in India’s defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.

CM Yogi Adityanath called the flagging off of BrahMos missiles a ‘moment of accomplishment’, highlighting their indigenous technology and India’s self-reliance. Countries like the Philippines and Vietnam have shown interest, and India plans to export them, strengthening its defence capabilities and global presence.

This is a moment of accomplishment for us, and especially for me, because we are fulfilling the Prime Minister’s pledge of ‘Make in India’ by flagging off the first batch of BrahMos missiles based on Swadeshi technology, in the presence of the Defence Minister,” CM Yogi said. Approximately 75% of BrahMos components, including critical parts such as propulsion systems, electronics, and warheads, are manufactured in India.

He also emphasised the collaborative efforts between the Uttar Pradesh government and the Centre to strengthen India’s defence capabilities. The Chief Minister stated that over 2,500 acres of land across six production nodes have been made available for defence manufacturing in the state, creating employment for more than 15,000 youths. He added that the state is projected to receive Rs 150–200 crore annually in GST revenue from BrahMos production once annual manufacturing reaches 100 missiles, with plans to scale production to 150 missiles in the future.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally flagged off the missiles, underscoring the role of the project in advancing India’s strategic autonomy and self-reliance in high-technology defence systems. The BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, is a supersonic cruise missile capable of precise strikes against land and sea targets. It has been in production since the early 2000s, with previous manufacturing primarily at units in Hyderabad and other facilities. The shift to Lucknow represents a dedicated production hub aimed at expanding capacity, creating employment, and promoting economic growth in Uttar Pradesh.

The event follows an earlier announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that BrahMos missiles would be manufactured in Lucknow, highlighting the government’s focus on strengthening domestic defence production under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

The flagging off of the first batch of BrahMos missiles in Lucknow underscores India’s enhanced defence manufacturing capabilities, strategic preparedness, and economic benefits, marking a key milestone in the country’s journey toward self-reliance in defence technology.