Union Home Minister Amit Shah underscored the expansion of Uttar Pradesh’s defence manufacturing sector, emphasizing the role of BrahMos missiles in the state’s growing industrial capabilities. Speaking at the fourth edition of the UP International Trade Show in Greater Noida, Shah remarked that the BrahMos missiles, produced at the Lucknow facility, are a significant component of India’s defence strategy, suggesting they pose a concern for neighboring Pakistan.
Shah highlighted the influx of investments into the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, which spans six nodes: Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Lucknow, Agra, Aligarh, and Kanpur. He pointed to the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow and the production of AK-203 assault rifles in Amethi as examples of the state’s burgeoning defence production capabilities. The Lucknow facility, which began operations in May 2025, is pivotal for the assembly, integration, and testing of the supersonic cruise missile, with its first batch completed in October 2025.
Established with an investment of approximately ₹300 crore across nearly 200 acres, the Lucknow facility aims to bolster indigenous defence production and support ancillary industries and skilled employment. Shah also noted that Uttar Pradesh’s improving law-and-order climate and expanding industrial base are instrumental in attracting further investment to the state.
The Home Minister also praised the One District, One Product initiative, which he said is contributing to the expansion of local industries and creating employment opportunities for the state’s youth. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance Uttar Pradesh’s economic landscape.
The UP International Trade Show 2026, running from September 25 to 29, serves as a platform for manufacturers, MSMEs, exporters, artisans, startups, investors, and international buyers to engage and explore business opportunities. Shah’s remarks at the event highlighted the state’s commitment to developing a robust defence manufacturing sector and its broader economic growth strategy.