Lucknow, October 18: A new chapter of self-reliant India was penned in the capital Lucknow on Saturday when Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off the first batch of supersonic BrahMos missiles produced at the Lucknow unit of BrahMos Aerospace Limited. Amid chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” the ceremony resounded with pride, glory, and patriotism as the first batch of missiles departed.
Addressing the event, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that BrahMos is the most capable weapon to protect not only India but our friendly countries around the world.
He said that BrahMos, developed in Lucknow due to the efforts of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, has become a means of the country’s prosperity. Only when a person is safe can one sleep peacefully. The missiles manufactured in Lucknow guarantee the safety and prosperity of the entire nation.
He said that through BrahMos, India has been able to meet both its own needs and the security needs of friendly nations. For this, I express my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
Referring to the first Investors Summit in 2018, Chief Minister Yogi said that in Lucknow, the Prime Minister had announced two Defense Manufacturing Corridors, one of which went to Uttar Pradesh. Work on the Defense Manufacturing Corridor is progressing successfully in six nodes in Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Aligarh, Jhansi, and Chitrakoot. Projects such as BrahMos in Lucknow, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Jhansi, and AK-203 in Amethi are underway. So far, more than 2,500 acres of land has been made available in these six nodes, creating jobs for more than 15,000 young people.
Yogi Adityanath said that the BrahMos Center employs young people with ITI, polytechnic, and engineering degrees, fulfilling both the national security and employment needs. This is the foundation of a self-reliant India. He explained that the state government, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and IIT BHU, is establishing two Centers of Excellence, which will promote defense technology and innovation. He said that the land of Lucknow is now simultaneously straddling all four dimensions of national defense, industry, employment, and development. This is the changing face of Uttar Pradesh and the hallmark of a self-reliant India.
Chief Minister said that today, DG BrahMos handed over a GST check worth Rs 40 crore. Every year, 100 BrahMos missiles will be manufactured, increasing to 150, and the GST will be Rs 150-200 crore. This is like “getting the mango and the kernel for nothing.” The land of Lucknow is now yielding gold. It is fulfilling the national security needs and strengthening the state’s economy. He also assured to provide more land to DRDO if required.
Yogi mentioned the new 56,000-acre industrial corridor in Jhansi and said that a node is being developed on the expressway in Chitrakoot. He reiterated his commitment to transform Make in India into Make for the World. He said that BrahMos has been developed in Lucknow due to the efforts of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. It has become a medium of prosperity for the country.