Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the significance of Uttar Pradesh’s burgeoning defence manufacturing sector during the inauguration of the fourth edition of the UP International Trade Show in Greater Noida. He highlighted that the BrahMos missiles produced in the state have heightened regional security dynamics, particularly affecting Pakistan. The event underscored Uttar Pradesh’s strides in becoming a focal point for defence production in India.
Shah detailed the influx of investments across the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor’s six nodes—Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Lucknow, Agra, Aligarh, and Kanpur. He pointed to key facilities such as the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow and the production of AK-203 assault rifles in Amethi as evidence of the state’s growing capabilities in defence manufacturing. The Lucknow facility, inaugurated in May 2025, is involved in the assembly and testing of the supersonic cruise missile, with its first batch rolled out in October 2025.
The establishment of the BrahMos facility represents a significant investment of approximately ₹300 crore over nearly 200 acres, aimed at bolstering indigenous defence production, supporting ancillary industries, and generating skilled employment. Shah’s remarks highlighted the state’s improved law-and-order situation and expanding industrial base as key factors in attracting investment and fostering economic growth.
Additionally, Shah underlined the importance of the One District, One Product initiative, which aims to expand local industries and create more employment opportunities for the youth in Uttar Pradesh. The UP International Trade Show 2026, running from September 25 to 29, brings together a diverse array of participants, including manufacturers, MSMEs, exporters, artisans, startups, investors, and international buyers, showcasing the state’s industrial potential.