‘BrahMos is in itself a message’: Rajnath Singh on new missile production unit in UP

In a strong show of India’s missile strength, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday shared a video of the BrahMos missile, describing it as a symbol of precision, power and progress. Singh posted a video of the weapon on his social media platform X, saying, “BrahMos is in itself a message,” after he virtually inaugurated the new BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow.Singh shared a clip that showcased the missile’s capabilities, hailing it as a 21st-century marvel. Designed to be launched from land, sea, and air platforms, BrahMos can operate day and night in all weather conditions. It has long been among the most reliable and universally acclaimed missiles in the armed forces' arsenal.UP’s role in defence growthUttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who was present at the event, said, “If anyone has not seen the power of BrahMos, they must ask Pakistan.” He underlined Uttar Pradesh’s emerging role as a key hub in India’s defence manufacturing sector.The facility in Lucknow is expected to boost missile integration and testing, as well as contribute to local employment and industry.Rajnath Singh said that the new facility will generate 500 direct and 1000 indirect jobs"Today, the BrahMos facility we are inaugurating will generate approximately 500 direct and 1000 indirect jobs right from its inception. This has been made possible, in no small part, due to the ecosystem that Shri Yogi Adityanath ji has developed here," said the defence minister.Singh had earlier laid the foundation stone for the BrahMos Manufacturing Centre and Defence Technology & Test Centre in the same city on December 26, 2021.An official release stated that a first-of-its-kind Defence Technologies & Test Centre (DTTC) has been set up on 22 acres to support defence and aerospace manufacturing in the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UP DIC).The new BRAHMOS Manufacturing Centre, built by BrahMos Aerospace in the Lucknow node of UP DIC, spans over 200 acres. It will produce the next-generation BRAHMOS-NG missile.‘Force multiplier’ with proven track recordThe video shared by Rajnath showcased BrahMos as a “force multiplier” for the armed forces. Since its first successful launch on June 12, 2001, the missile has been tested over 100 times with a remarkable 100% success rate. Its speed, accuracy, and versatility make it a key strategic asset.BrahMos represents the strength of India's defence industry. It also shows how quickly India and Russia came together to make this happen.‘Make in India, Make for India’Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022 had also praised BrahMos, saying, “Every Indian is proud that BrahMos is part of India’s arsenal.” The missile project embodies the spirit of ‘Make in India, Design in India, Make for India’, involving over 200 defence-based Indian industries and thousands of skilled professionals.