Describing Operation Sindoor as a “trailer”, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh sent Pakistan a tough message on Saturday, saying every inch of its territory was now within the reach of the BrahMos missile.
Addressing a gathering after he and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off the first BrahMos batch manufactured in the Lucknow unit of BrahMos Aerospace Limited, Singh described the missile as a “symbol of India’s growing indigenous strength”.
“Our country believes that our adversaries won’t be able to escape from the power of BrahMos. As far as Pakistan is concerned, now every inch of its territory is within our reach. And whatever happened during Operation Sindoor was only a trailer, my friend,” he said.
“But that trailer only made Pakistan realise that if India can give birth to Pakistan, then when time comes… ab aage mujhe bolne ki zarurat nahi hai (I don’t need to say any further),” he said.
The BrahMos played a significant role in Operation Sindoor when India struck terror sites in Pakistan and PoK and the hostilities that followed in May this year.
Singh said the delivery of four missiles on Dhanteras marked a milestone in India’s defence self-reliance, while generating economic growth and employment.
“It is a matter of great pride and joy for me that the state-of-the-art BrahMos booster building is being inaugurated in Lucknow today. Just a short while ago, I also had the privilege of planting a Rudraksha sapling in this very courtyard. We consider Rudraksha to be a part of Rudra, meaning Lord Mahadev. I pray to Mahadev that his blessings remain on this state-of-the-art facility and on our countrymen forever,” he said.
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Congratulating the people of Lucknow, he said, “Lucknow is not just my parliamentary constituency, but a city that resides in my soul. The sense of satisfaction and pride that one feels seeing the rapid development of the state and the capital is further deepened by this defence-related achievement today.”
He praised the speed and efficiency of the Lucknow facility – inaugurated in May at a cost of Rs 380 crore over 200 acres – which manufactured and delivered the first batch of missiles in just five months.
He said it will produce approximately 100 missiles annually for the Army, Navy and Air Force, generating a turnover of Rs 3,000 crore and Rs 500 crore in GST revenue. “The speed and efficiency of this achievement sets a record and reinforces the credibility of Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh. Alongside BrahMos’ credibility, Lucknow’s identity has been further strengthened.”
Singh went on to emphasise BrahMos’ capabilities: its supersonic speed, precision and long-range strike that make it one of the world’s most advanced missile systems.
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The BrahMos production, he said, strengthens the nation’s economy: taxes from each missile can fund schools, hospitals, and welfare schemes.
He pointed to India’s growing role in defence exports, citing recent contracts worth approximately Rs 4,000 crore with countries, including Philippines, signaling India’s emergence as a global defence partner.
Expressing his gratitude to CM Adityanath for his full support and cooperation in the project, he highlighted UP’s transformation under him.
Describing Lucknow as a defence, technology and industrial hub, he underscored the importance of supporting local and small-scale industries to ensure the full success of the UP Defence Corridor.
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Addressing the event, Adityanath said, “Atmanirbhar Bharat is no longer just an idea, it is now a reality that’s taking shape… Today, India is attracting global attention as the fourth-largest economy.”
He said India, which was once dependent on other countries for its defence needs, is not only meeting its own requirements now but also assisting friendly nations in defence supply. “This is not only a symbol of self-reliance but also a major means of employment.”
He stated the dedication and technical expertise with which PTC Industries established the Strategic Material Technology Complex in Lucknow is proof that India is rapidly advancing towards self-reliance in defence production with support from the private sector. From the production of strategic materials to ready-to-fit critical components, the entire supply chain capacity has been developed.
He said all six nodes of the defence manufacturing corridor, comprising Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Jhansi, Aligarh and Chitrakoot, are operating at full capacity. “We have a sufficient land bank, and institutions like IIT and AKTU (Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University) are with us for technical collaboration,” he said.
