First Batch Of Made In Lucknow BrahMos Missile Delivered To Indian Army: Rajnath Singh Calls It A Matter Of Pride

In a significant push to India’s defence self-reliance drive, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday (April 12, 2026) announced that manufacturing of the BrahMos missile has begun in Lucknow, with the first batch already delivered to the Indian Army. This comes less than six months after jointly flagging-off the first batch with UP CM Yogi Adityanath in October 2025.

Calling it a matter of pride for Uttar Pradesh’s capital, Defence Minister Singh said the development marks a key step in strengthening indigenous defence capabilities. “It’s a matter of pride that its first batch of BrahMos has already been handed over to our Army,” he said.

The BrahMos missile features a traditional warhead and an advanced guided system and possesses the capability to strike long distances at supersonic speeds. This combination of speed, accuracy, and power makes BrahMos one of the best systems in the world. It has become the backbone of our Armed Forces, the defence minister had said last year.

Lucknow-made BrahMos missiles: How does it strengthen India’s defence self-reliance push?

Highlighting the rapid growth in indigenous production, Rajnath Singh pointed out that India’s domestic defence production touched a record Rs 1.5 lakh crore in 2024-25, while defence exports surged to an all-time high of Rs 38,424 crore in 2025-26. “These are just a few examples. Numerous such efforts are under way, which are laying the foundation for a self-reliant and empowered India,” he said.

Expressing confidence in the sector’s trajectory, Singh added that India is on track to become completely self-reliant in defence, and could soon rank among the world’s top defence producers.

What role is Lucknow playing in India’s defence corridor?

The defence minister underscored Lucknow’s emergence as a key hub in the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor, noting that the city has been designated a defence node alongside Agra and Kanpur. “It is a matter of pride for Lucknow that it has been declared a defence node… many other small and large factories related to defence equipment are also being established,” he said.

The local manufacturing ecosystem, including the BrahMos facility, is expected to generate employment, boost ancillary industries, and deepen India’s indigenous defence base.

BrahMos’ role in national security

Worth noting here is that the missiles had also played a key role during the four-day Operation Sindoor in May 2025, demonstrating that it has moved far beyond a trial and has become the greatest practical proof of national security. Singh had earlier stated that every inch of Pakistan’s territory is now within the reach of BrahMos.

“Operation Sindoor is proof that victory has become a habit for us, and now we must further enhance our capabilities. The operation was just a trailer. It has made Pakistan realise what might follow,” he had said.

Meanwhile, Singh on Saturday also stressed that national security is not just the responsibility of the armed forces, but a collective duty of every citizen, while speaking at a war heroes and ‘veer naris’ felicitation ceremony. “Safeguarding national interests requires coordinated efforts across all sections of society,” he said.

He also urged citizens to contribute by abiding by the law, rejecting misinformation, and prioritising national interest over personal gain, especially in the face of evolving security challenges.