It is no secret that India is pushing hard to establish its indigenous defence manufacturing, with the aim of ultimately becoming a major exporter to the world. Taking another step in the direction, the first batch of Lucknow-made Brahmos missiles was flagged off on Saturday (October 18, 2025).
This is the first tranche of the supersonic missiles being developed at the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow. The missiles were flagged off jointly by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and UP CM Yogi Adityanath, who also witnessed the BrahMos virtual strike through SU-30 at the unit.
Reinforcing the vision of self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the state-of-the-art Lucknow facility, a key component of UP Defence Industrial Corridor, was virtually inaugurated by Raksha Mantri earlier this year on May 11, 2025, and within five months, the first batch of missiles was ready for deployment.
BrahMos Missiles: A strong message delivered to Pakistan!
With the release of the first batch of the powerful missile from UP Defence Corridor, Pakistan received a very strong message that every inch of its territory is now within the reach of BrahMos!
Playing a rather significant role during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, the BrahMos missile demonstrated that it has moved far beyond a trial and has become the greatest practical proof of national security. Defence Minister Singh, in bold letters, 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 added. BrahMos as not just a missile, but a symbol of the growing indigenous capabilities of the nation.
BrahMos supersonic missile: What sets it apart?
The 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.
Developed jointly by India and Russia, the BrahMos missile is one of the world’s fastest and most precise cruise missiles. It travels at Mach 2.8 —just under three times the speed of sound. The typical range of BrahMos missile starts at 300 kilometres. However, when launched from a Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft, its reach can be extended to 5,500 kilometres.
BrahMos has an added advantage of its versatility, which means it can be launched from land, sea, and air. While it weighs about 2,800 kilograms in general, the version fitted for the Sukhoi fighter jet weighs around 2,200 kilograms.
How big is BrahMos’ role in India’s defence exports?
According to the defence minister, achievements live BrahMos have proved that Made-in-India is no longer a slogan, but a global brand. “Whether it’s the export of the BrahMos to the Philippines or cooperation with other countries in the future, India is now playing the role of a giver, not just a taker.”
Worth mentioning here is that the BrahMos team has signed contracts worth approximately Rs 4,000 crore with two countries in the last one month. In the coming years, experts from many countries will visit Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, making the city a centre of knowledge and a leader in defence technology.
“The turnover of BrahMos’ Lucknow unit will be around Rs 3,000 crore from the next financial year and the GST collection will be around Rs 500 crore,” Singh indicated. He further noted that the 200-acre BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre, built at a cost of Rs 380 crore, is not just a defence facility, but also a new avenue for employment and development.
BrahMos: A missile of Aatmanirbharta
Defence minister Singh’s view was echoed by UP Chief Minister Adityanath who described BrahMos as a missile of Aatmanirbharta, which is fulfilling the defence needs of the country. Missiles manufactured in Lucknow are an assurance of safety and prosperity of the people of the nation.
With the dispatch of its first missile consignment, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a key partner in the national ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative. The Lucknow unit is the first in the corridor to manage the entire manufacturing and testing process indigenously, reinforcing both strategic autonomy and industrial growth.