BrahMos missiles will be manufactured in Lucknow starting from 2026, said Indian Defence Minister and Member of Parliament for Lucknow, Rajnath Singh on Thursday.
"We’ve exported arms worth Rs 21,000 crore ($2.5b). Additionally, we’ve exported BrahMos missiles valued at Rs 4000 crore ($479m), and soon, they’ll be produced in Lucknow," he said at a gathering in CMS Gomtinagar.
A DRDO laboratory has already been established in Lucknow, marking a significant milestone in India's journey towards self-sufficiency across various sectors.
In outlining India’s future aspirations, Singh expressed, “Our goal in politics is to build a prosperous India that leads the world in wealth, knowledge, science, and spirituality”.
The interest in BrahMos missiles is surging, with countries like the Philippines and Vietnam expressing keen interest in acquiring the supersonic cruise missile.
On April 19, New Delhi fulfilled the first shipment of BrahMos supersonic missiles to the Philippines under a $375 million agreement to procure the weapon system from India.
According to the pact signed in January 2022, New Delhi is committed to supplying three batteries of missiles along with their launchers and associated equipment.
Philippines Ambassador Josel Francisco Ignacio has lauded the recent introduction of BrahMos missiles by the Philippines as a significant advancement and the acquisition as a pivotal moment in the country's defence modernization efforts, offering a "credible deterrence”, reports Media.
BrahMos Aerospace was established through a collaboration between DRDO and the Russian space company NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM), with the Indian side holding a 50.5% stake and the Russian side holding 49.5%.