- India signed BrahMos missile export contracts worth ₹4,000 crore ($455 million) with two countries in the past month.
- The first batch of BrahMos missiles was dispatched from a new ₹380 crore production facility in Lucknow.
India’s defense exports received a boost this month as BrahMos Aerospace signed cruise missile contracts worth ₹4,000 crore (approximately $455 million) with two foreign countries, according to Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The announcement coincided with the ceremonial dispatch of the first batch of BrahMos missiles from the new BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow.
Speaking at the event, Singh described the BrahMos missile as more than a weapon system, calling it “a symbol of India’s growing indigenous defence capabilities.” He said the missile, known for its speed, accuracy, and strike range, had become a central element of India’s military readiness.
The supersonic cruise missile, jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, is capable of carrying conventional warheads at speeds up to Mach 3. Singh noted that the system’s deployment across India’s armed forces has been instrumental in recent operations.
“Every inch of Pakistan’s territory is now within the reach of BrahMos,” Singh said, referencing a recent military action he called “Operation Sindoor.” He added, “The operation was just a trailer. It has made Pakistan realise what might follow.”
According to Singh, the Lucknow facility—built at a cost of ₹380 crore—will manufacture approximately 100 missile systems per year. He said it is both a strategic asset and a driver of regional economic growth. The unit is projected to generate a ₹3,000 crore turnover in the next fiscal year and contribute ₹500 crore in Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue.
BrahMos Aerospace Director General Dr. Jaytirth R. Joshi handed over a GST payment of ₹40 crore to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the event. The facility, spread across 200 acres, is the first in India’s Defence Industrial Corridor to handle the full missile integration and testing process from end to end.
The Defense Minister said the recently signed export contracts reflect global trust in India’s defense manufacturing base. Although he did not name the buyer countries, he stated that these deals were concluded in the last month and reflect growing international demand for BrahMos systems.
Chief Minister Adityanath called the facility a milestone for the state’s defense industry, describing the BrahMos missile as “a symbol of India’s strength and self-sufficiency.” He also highlighted that more than 15,000 young workers have found employment through initiatives tied to the Defence Corridor.
During the joint visit, Singh and Adityanath inaugurated the Booster Building and inspected several parts of the production line, including the Airframe and Avionics section, the Warhead buildings, and the BrahMos simulator. Officials also organized a live demonstration of the mobile launcher and booster docking operations.
In his remarks, Singh emphasized the need for resilient and independent supply chains in defense manufacturing. “We must develop all types of technologies within India so that our supply chain remains secure and independent,” he said, noting that efforts are underway to integrate small and medium enterprises into the defense production ecosystem.
The BrahMos system is currently operational with the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. With the export contracts and the launch of full-scale domestic production in Lucknow, Indian defense officials say the missile is now positioned as a central element of the country’s export strategy and regional security framework.