On May 11, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a new BrahMos supersonic cruise missile production facility at the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor in Lucknow. This state-of-the-art unit is designed to manufacture 80 to 100 BrahMos missiles annually, significantly enhancing India's indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities.
The facility, constructed at a cost of ₹300 crore, will produce both the current and next-generation BrahMos missiles. The BrahMos missile, developed by BrahMos Aerospace—a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroeyenia—boasts a range of 290 to 400 kilometers and a top speed of Mach 2.8. It can be launched from land, sea, or air platforms and employs a "fire and forget" guidance system.
The next-generation BrahMos missiles, to be produced at this facility, will have a strike range exceeding 300 kilometers and will weigh approximately 1,290 kilograms, nearly half the weight of the current version. This reduction in weight will enable aircraft like the Sukhoi to carry up to three missiles, compared to just one of the current version, thereby enhancing the Indian Air Force's strike capabilities.
The inauguration of this facility comes amid heightened military tensions with Pakistan, underscoring India's commitment to bolstering its defense preparedness through self-reliance.
