MoD lays foundation for Defence Technology and Test Centre and BRAHMOS Manufacturing Centre
Source: The Sangai Express / PIB

Imphal, December 26 2021: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for Defence Technology & Test Centre and BRAHMOS Manufacturing Centre, established by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh today.

The foundation for the two units was laid in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

A first of its kind Defence Technologies & Test Centre (DTTC), over approximately 22 acres is being set up to accelerate the growth of the defence and aerospace manufacturing clusters in Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UP DIC).

The BRAHMOS Manufacturing Centre, announced by BrahMos Aerospace, is a modern, state-of-art facility in the Lucknow node of UP DIC.

It will cover over 200 acres and produce the new BRAHMOS-NG (Next Generation) variant, which carries forward the lineage of the BRAHMOS weapons system.

This new centre would be ready over the next two to three years and will commence production at a rate of 80-100 BRAHMOS-NG missiles per year.

On the 'Defence Technology and Test Centre', the Defence Minister said, the Centre will provide the technological base to develop defence products keeping in mind the young innovators and startups in Amausi region of Uttar Pradesh.

He added that the Centre will make all endeavours to fulfil the creative energy, capabilities and aspirations of the youth of Uttar Pradesh.

It will help in bringing the MSMEs of Uttar Pradesh together and bring the state at the forefront in the field of defence and aerospace manufacturing, he said.

He added that the Centre, through skill development, will create direct and indirect employment in the field of defence and aerospace manufacturing.

Recalling India's history, Rajnath Singh said "we have never been an aggressor, but are ready to defend our people against any nation with hostile intentions".

He added that the purpose of the BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile system is to act as a deterrent.

He said, the system not only reflects the technical cooperation between India and Russia, but also the long standing cultural, political and diplomatic ties.

He termed BRAHMOS as the world's best and fastest precision-guided weapon which has strengthened India's credible deterrence in the 21st century.

Rajnath Singh expressed confidence that the foundation stone laying of the two units heralds a new chapter in the defence of the nation as well as defence manufacturing and the economy of the state of Uttar Pradesh and the city of Lucknow.

He applauded the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath for taking various initiatives for improving infrastructure and the welfare & progress of people from all sections of society.

In his opening address, Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy thanked the Defence Minister for making land available for the DTTC in Lucknow.

He expressed gratitude to UP Chief Minister for providing 200 acres of land for the BRAHMOS manufacturing centre.

He assured all support from DRDO to the industries coming up in the region.

The state-of-the-art Defence Technologies & Test Centre is being set up to implement the MoU exchanged between Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) and DRDO during DefExpo-2020 at Lucknow in presence of the RakshaMantri and the UP Chief Minister.

The DTTC, Lucknow will follow the design-build-test-learn cycle for technology consultancy & handholding of the Deep-Tech Startups& industries.

Comment