At the UP International Trade Show in Greater Noida, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the significant advancements in Uttar Pradesh’s defense manufacturing sector. Highlighting the state’s role in national security, Shah pointed to the production of BrahMos missiles, asserting that these developments are contributing to increased defense capabilities and are causing concern for neighboring Pakistan.
The trade show, running from September 25 to 29, serves as a platform for manufacturers, MSMEs, exporters, artisans, startups, investors, and international buyers to congregate and explore opportunities within the state. Shah underscored the importance of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, which spans six nodes including Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Lucknow, Agra, Aligarh, and Kanpur, in attracting substantial investment and fostering local industry growth.
Among the key facilities is the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow, inaugurated in May 2025. This facility is tasked with the assembly, integration, and testing of the supersonic cruise missile. The initiative, which saw its first batch of missiles produced in October 2025, was established with an investment of approximately ₹300 crore over nearly 200 acres. It aims to bolster indigenous defense production and support ancillary industries and skilled employment in the region.
Additionally, Shah mentioned the production of AK-203 assault rifles in Amethi as another example of the state’s expanding defense manufacturing capabilities. This growth is complemented by improvements in Uttar Pradesh’s law-and-order environment and an expanding industrial base, both of which are instrumental in attracting further investments.
Shah also highlighted the state’s One District, One Product initiative, which aims to expand local industries and create employment opportunities for the youth. This initiative, along with the burgeoning defense sector, is part of a broader strategy to enhance Uttar Pradesh’s economic landscape and position it as a key player in India’s defense production capabilities.