GREATER NOIDA — Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s expanding defence-manufacturing footprint, saying state-made systems such as the BrahMos missiles and AK-203 rifles were making their presence felt beyond the state’s borders and contributing to national security and local industry.
UP’s defence push showcased at trade fair
Shah made the remarks while inaugurating the fourth edition of the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS) at the India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida. He pointed to the recent growth in investments across the six nodes of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) — Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Lucknow, Agra, Aligarh and Kanpur — as evidence of the state’s rising role in defence production.
Referring specifically to facilities inside the state, Shah cited the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow and the production of AK-203 rifles at Amethi as examples of how manufacturing in Uttar Pradesh is contributing to the country’s defence supply chain.
“The BrahMos missiles being produced in Lucknow are giving sleepless nights to Pakistan, and the AK-203 rifles produced in Amethi are causing sleepless nights to Naxalites and terrorists,” Shah said.
Facility details and local impact
The BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow was inaugurated in May 2025 as part of the UP Defence Industrial Corridor. According to the record cited by Shah, the centre performs assembly, integration and testing of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. The first batch of missiles manufactured at the Lucknow facility was flagged off in October 2025.
The project is reported to have been launched with a capital investment of around ₹3 crore and occupies almost 200 acres. Officials described the facility as aimed at strengthening local defence manufacturing capacity, fostering ancillary industries and creating skilled employment opportunities for the region.
Why the developments matter for UP
- Industrial diversification: Defence production adds a capital- and skill-intensive sector to the state’s economy, potentially attracting suppliers and ancillary units.
- Employment and skilling: The integration and testing activities require trained technicians and engineers, yielding opportunities for workforce development.
- Strategic and geopolitical signal: Locating high-technology defence production in UP underlines a push to broaden India’s manufacturing base across states beyond traditional defence hubs.
UPDIC nodes and the spread of investments
Shah said investments were flowing into all six nodes of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor. The six locations identified as UPDIC nodes are shown below.
| UPDIC Node |
|---|
| Jhansi |
| Chitrakoot |
| Lucknow |
| Agra |
| Aligarh |
| Kanpur |
Government framing and trade context
At the event, Shah also linked the state’s industrial expansion to broader economic and trade policies of the Union government. He credited the central administration’s trade and economic initiatives, including free-trade agreements negotiated with partner countries, with creating greater opportunities for Indian exporters and industrial units.
While defence manufacturing in the state has drawn attention for its strategic significance, the projects also carry local development implications. Officials emphasise the potential for ancillary industries and for training and employing local youth in technical roles connected to defence production.
What remains to be seen
Observers will be looking for follow-through on commitments to ancillary investment, skilling programmes and supply-chain development that can transform flagship defence projects into broader regional economic gains. The presence of high-technology manufacturing in Uttar Pradesh adds a new dimension to the state’s industrial profile, but the pace at which supporting ecosystems develop will determine the long-term local benefits.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah presided over the exhibition opening as part of the ongoing UPITS, where multiple industrial sectors are showcasing products and investment opportunities.
Reporting from Greater Noida.
