Will Rajnath Singh inaugurate the BrahMos missile production unit in Lucknow today?

Synopsis
In a significant move to bolster India's defense capabilities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the BrahMos missile production unit in Lucknow. This facility aims to manufacture up to 100 missiles annually, enhancing India's self-reliance in defense amidst ongoing military tensions with Pakistan. Stay tuned for more on this pivotal event!
Key Takeaways
- New production unit in Lucknow aims for 80-100 missiles yearly.
- Cost of the facility is Rs 300 crore.
- BrahMos missile has a range of 290-400 km and speed of Mach 2.8.
- Next-gen missiles to be lighter and more efficient.
- Supports India's self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
Lucknow, May 11 (NationPress) In light of ongoing military tensions with Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to virtually inaugurate a new production unit for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile today at the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor in Lucknow. This facility aims to produce between 80 and 100 BrahMos missiles annually, representing a crucial advancement in enhancing India's indigenous defence capabilities.
The establishment of this production unit, which cost approximately Rs 300 crore, is significant as it will manufacture the BrahMos missile, a precision-strike weapon with a range of 290-400 km and a maximum speed of Mach 2.8.
Created by BrahMos Aerospace, a collaborative venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, the missile boasts versatility, capable of being launched from land, sea, or air, and utilizing a “fire and forget” guidance system.
From this newly established Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow, the aim is to produce 80 to 100 BrahMos missiles each year. Additionally, the unit is expected to manufacture between 100 and 150 next-generation BrahMos missiles annually, with these advanced versions anticipated to be ready for delivery in less than a year.
One significant enhancement in the next-generation missile is its reduced weight—down from 2,900 kilograms to 1,290 kilograms—along with an extended strike range exceeding 300 kilometers. This reduction in weight will enable fighter jets like the Sukhoi, which currently carry a single BrahMos missile, to potentially carry up to three of the next-generation models.
This production unit is integral to the Defence Industrial Corridor initiative, a project launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2018 Global Investors' Summit.
The foundation stone for this facility was laid in 2021, and it was built on 80 hectares of land generously provided by the Uttar Pradesh government. The construction was completed in a remarkably short time span of just three and a half years.
Ahead of today’s inauguration, officials announced that the BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility will also be inaugurated, overseeing missile assembly and testing to uphold stringent quality standards.
Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is expected to attend the event, which will also see the launch of the Titanium and Super Alloys Materials Plant (Strategic Materials Technology Complex), a facility dedicated to producing essential materials for aerospace and defence sectors.
Furthermore, the foundation stone for the Defence Testing Infrastructure System (DTIS) will be laid. This DTIS will function as a key center for testing and certifying various defence products, thereby strengthening India's self-reliant defence industry.
The Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor consists of six nodes: Lucknow, Kanpur, Aligarh, Agra, Jhansi, and Chitrakoot, with the objective of attracting significant investments into defence manufacturing. Uttar Pradesh stands as the second state, following Tamil Nadu, to establish a dedicated defence corridor, further enhancing its pivotal role in national security and defence production.