UP Defence Corridor Enters Phase 2 With Brahmos Missile Unit Launch In Lucknow

(MENAFN- KNN India) Lucknow, May 13 (KNN) The Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor has entered a crucial second phase with the inauguration of the BrahMos missile manufacturing unit in Lucknow on Sunday.

This milestone marks a significant advancement in India's defence self-reliance initiative, transforming what was once a blueprint into tangible reality seven years after the corridor's announcement by the Government of India.

According to official figures, the Uttar Pradesh government has secured Memorandums of Understanding with 169 companies, attracting investments totaling Rs 28,475 crore into the defence corridor.

Land allocation has been completed for 57 companies, with another 87 in various stages of the allotment process. The state has acquired 1,649 hectares of land for the corridor, which is projected to generate employment for over 46,000 people through direct and indirect opportunities once fully operational.

The UP Defence Corridor, one of two announced in the 2018-19 Union Budget by then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley alongside Tamil Nadu's corridor, encompasses six strategically selected cities: Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Agra, Aligarh, and Chitrakoot.

These locations offer strategic advantages with proximity to major expressways and robust airport connectivity, including proposed airstrips in Chitrakoot and Jhansi, as well as the upcoming international airport in Jewar near Aligarh.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised the corridor's strategic importance, stating, "The Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor is not just a manufacturing hub; it is a strategic asset for India's security.”

He added,“It strengthens our armed forces by ensuring timely access to cutting-edge, indigenously developed equipment, while also propelling Uttar Pradesh towards becoming a global defence manufacturing powerhouse."

Defence experts project that by 2029, Uttar Pradesh alone could export defence products worth over Rs 25,000 crore annually, positioning it as India's largest weapons supplier with products ranging fr0m ammunition to drones and missile systems.

The corridor represents a specialised zone for manufacturing military-grade equipment and technology within a coordinated ecosystem, aimed at reducing India's historical dependence on foreign suppliers and advancing the government's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision.

Lucknow has become home to the BrahMos missile unit with an initial production target exceeding 100 state-of-the-art cruise missiles, while also developing facilities for drone and ammunition manufacturing alongside a centralised testing facility for advanced weaponry.

This development is expected to create 3,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect employment opportunities.

Kanpur has emerged as Asia's largest ammunition hub, featuring the Adani Group's Rs 1,500 crore investment on a 250-acre site.

The facility will manufacture 41 types of weapons including drones, firearms, and light aircraft, with projected investment growth to Rs 3,000 crore within five years and employment generation for 4,000 direct and 20,000 indirect positions.

The Jhansi node, named after late Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, has allocated 531 hectares to 16 companies, including Bharat Dynamics Limited's Rs 140 crore missile unit.

International defence manufacturers like Swedish giant Saab AB have also established a presence alongside Indian firms producing ammunition and small-calibre weapons, creating over 5,000 jobs.

(KNN Bureau)

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