Lucknow: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday inaugurated the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow, describing it as a landmark addition to India's growing defence manufacturing capacity. Speaking at the virtual event on National Technology Day, Singh used the occasion to also reflect on the significance of Operation Sindoor, calling it more than a military move.

“Operation Sindoor was not just a military action, but a symbol of India's political, social and strategic willpower,” he said. Singh added that the action served as a message to those across the border. “It is a proof that whenever India acts against terrorism, even the land across the border is not safe for terrorists & their masters.”

Operation Sindoor, he said, was carried out to target terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK, without harming civilians. “Our Armed Forces displayed valour & restraint and gave a befitting reply by attacking many military bases of Pakistan. Not only did we take action against military bases adjacent to the border, but the indignation of our Armed Forces reached even Rawalpindi, where the Pakistani military headquarters are located,” he stated.

Referring to past actions including the surgical strikes after Uri and the air strikes post-Pulwama, Singh said, “Through the surgical strikes after the Uri incident, air strikes after Pulwama attack and now multiple strikes after Pahalgam attack, the world has witnessed what India can do if terror attacks are carried out on its soil. Following the policy of zero tolerance against terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear that this New India will take effective action against terrorism on both sides of the border.”

The defence minister also stressed that the BrahMos facility reflects India’s drive towards self-reliance in defence and contributes to local development. “The complex will strengthen India’s self-reliance efforts & contribute to socio-economic development of the region,” he said.

The 200-acre facility will house integration of key missile components such as booster subassemblies, avionics, propellants and ramjet engines. The centre, built at a cost of approximately Rs 300 crore, is expected to generate direct and indirect employment and support the wider industrial ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh.

Calling BrahMos a symbol of strength, Singh said it projects India’s deterrence capability. “BrahMos is not just one of the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missiles, but a message of the strength of the Indian Armed Forces, a message of deterrence to adversaries, and a message of the nation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its borders.”

Quoting former President APJ Abdul Kalam, Singh said, “‘Unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. In this world, fear has no place, only strength respects strength’,” adding that India is now among the most powerful nations.

He further noted that the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor has already created around 500 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs and is attracting investment in areas such as aircraft manufacturing, drones, ammunition and specialised materials. “A total of 180 MoUs have, so far, been signed in UPDIC with a proposed investment of Rs 34,000 crore, and an investment of Rs 4,000 crore has already been made.”

Singh said the country’s defence strategy involves global outreach too. “The launch of the BrahMos facility is a firm stride towards making India a significant player in the world’s defence production ecosystem,” he said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, present at the site, called the new facility a boost for both Aatmanirbharta and Make-in-India. Speaking on Operation Sindoor, he said, “There can be no solution to terrorism other than being absolutely crushed.”

As part of the inauguration, five of the 36 trainees selected for operations at the BrahMos facility were felicitated. The centre is also expected to provide a major push for industrialisation, skilling of ITI students, engineers, and young entrepreneurs.

The event was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brijesh Pathak, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat, DG BrahMos Dr Jaiteerth R Joshi and other senior officials.

BI Bureau