BrahMos Aerospace has inaugurated a new missile production and testing facility in Lucknow as part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC). The INR 3 billion complex spans 200 acres and is designed to manufacture 80 to 100 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles annually, with capacity to produce an additional 100 to 150 next-generation variants.
The new centre in Lucknow will handle integration of booster subassemblies, avionics, propellants, and ramjet engines. Additional infrastructure for design and administration is planned within the complex. The corridor also hosts the Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility, a Titanium and Super Alloys Materials Plant (Strategic Materials Technology Complex) operated by PTC Industries Limited, and a newly launched Defence Testing Infrastructure System (DTIS).
PTC Industries is fully vertically integrating the entire titanium products value chain at a single site. In August 2024, Aerolloy Technologies Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of PTC Industries Limited) had announced the acquisition of a Hot Rolling Mill for manufacturing Plates and Sheets in Titanium Alloys for Aerospace and Defence applications at the facility.
The facility was virtually inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on May 11. According to Singh, the project was completed in 40 months and has already generated approximately 500 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs. “The launch of the BrahMos facility is a firm stride towards making India a significant player in the world’s defence production ecosystem,” he said. Seven additional strategic defence projects are also planned in the region.
BrahMos Aerospace has selected 36 trainees to operate the facility, five of whom were formally felicitated during the inauguration.
The BrahMos missile has a range of 290 to 400 kilometres and a top speed of Mach 2.8. Officials stated that the next-generation version will weigh 1,290 kilograms, less than half the current weight of 2,900 kilograms, and have an extended range of over 300 kilometres. This modification will enable platforms like the Sukhoi aircraft to carry up to three missiles instead of one.
The UPDIC, announced in 2018, aims to make Uttar Pradesh a defence manufacturing hub. So far, 180 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed under the initiative with proposed investments of INR 34 billion, and INR 4 billion already invested. Key investment areas include aircraft manufacturing, UAVs, drones, ammunition, small arms, composites, textiles, and parachutes. Both public and private sector entities are participating.
Rajnath Singh noted that the defence sector presents a significant global opportunity, citing a Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report that estimates worldwide military expenditure at USD 2,718 billion in 2024.
BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. The company is responsible for the development, production, and delivery of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for use by the Indian Armed Forces.