Lucknow, May 11: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday inaugurated the BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility at the Lucknow node of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor, along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, marking a major milestone in India’s journey toward defence self-reliance.
The Chief Minister used the occasion to condemn Pakistan-backed terrorism and praised India’s recent military “Operation Sindoor” as a powerful demonstration of India’s resolve. “India has sent a clear message to the world—terrorism will be met with force,” he said. He urged all citizens to unite under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to confront terrorism with a single voice.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh joined the event virtually and, along with Adityanath, launched the BrahMos facility by pressing a ceremonial button. A publication on defence manufacturing, Brahmand, was also released. As a mark of honour, Adityanath received a model of the BrahMos missile and handed out appointment letters to young professionals selected by BrahMos Aerospace.
Praising the leadership of both Prime Minister Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Adityanath described Operation Sindoor as a coordinated effort showcasing the strength of India’s Army, Navy, and Air Force. “The world saw what BrahMos can do during Operation Sindoor. If anyone still has doubts, they should ask the people in Pakistan what this missile is capable of,” he remarked.
He emphasised that under the Modi government, terrorist acts will be treated as acts of war. “Terrorism will not end unless it is completely crushed,” he added, reaffirming the government’s zero-tolerance stance.
The Chief Minister also drew attention to the strategic importance of indigenous defence production. Pointing to countries like Israel as models of deterrence through self-reliance, he stressed that India must not depend on others for its security. “A self-sufficient nation must be capable of defending itself,” he said. Adityanath highlighted that six cities: Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Aligarh, Jhansi, and Chitrakoot have been designated as key centres of defence manufacturing. He cited the 2020 Defence Expo in Lucknow—organised after the BJP’s return to power—as the moment when the BrahMos facility was formally proposed. “We have already inaugurated an ammunition production centre in Kanpur, and the demand for its expansion is growing,” he said.
Adityanath claimed that compared to 2013–14, India’s defence production and exports have risen several-fold. “India is now not only self-reliant in meeting its security needs but is also supplying defence equipment to friendly countries,” he said. Uttar Pradesh, he added, is steadily progressing toward its target of Rs 50,000 crore in investments and one lakh jobs through the Defence Corridor initiative. “We have signed 57 MoUs with a potential investment value of Rs 30,000 crore in the defence sector alone. Nearly 60,000 youth are expected to benefit,” he said. Thanking organisations like BrahMos, PTC, DRDO, and L&T for setting up manufacturing units and training local youth, he contrasted the current landscape with the pre-2017 era when industries were reluctant to invest due to poor infrastructure and security concerns. “When people are not safe, how can capital be safe?” he asked. “Today, both are secure, and Uttar Pradesh is confidently stepping forward to serve the nation’s defence needs.”
