Lucknow: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday described ‘Operation Sindoor’ as a demonstration of India’s strong willpower against terrorism and the capability and determination of the armed forces, which ensured justice to the innocent families who lost their loved ones at the hands of anti-India and terrorist organisations on the Indian soil.
While virtually addressing the inauguration of BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, the Minister said, “Operation Sindoor was not just a military action, but a symbol of India’s political, social and strategic willpower.”
He termed Operation Sindoor as a proof that whenever India acts against terrorism, even the land across the border is not safe for terrorists and their masters. “Through the surgical strikes after the Uri incident, air strikes after Pulwama attack and now multiple strikes after Pahalgam attack, the world has witnessed what India can do if terror attacks are carried out on its soil. Following the policy of zero-tolerance against terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear that this New India will take effective action against terrorism on both sides of the border,” he said.
Rajnath further said that the operation was launched to destroy terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and innocent civilians were not targeted. “However, Pakistan targeted the civilian areas in India and tried to attack temples, gurudwaras and churches,” he said.
He said, “Our armed forces displayed valour and restraint and gave a befitting reply by attacking many military bases of Pakistan. Not only did we take action against military bases adjacent to the border, but the indignation of our armed forces reached even Rawalpindi, where the Pakistani military headquarters are located.”
On the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre, the Defence Minister said it will strengthen India’s efforts towards ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in defence and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region by generating significant direct and indirect employment.
He described the inauguration on National Technology Day as a landmark moment, which reflects India’s growing innovative energy and aligns with the rapid global transformation in critical, high end and frontier technologies.
Rajnath called BrahMos as not just one of the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missiles, but a message of the strength of the Indian Armed Forces, a message of deterrence to adversaries and a message of the nation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its borders.
He said that BrahMos is a confluence of top defence technologies of India and Russia.
Quoting the Missile Man of India and former President Dr A PJ Abdul Kalam who had said ‘Unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. In this world, fear has no place, only strength respects strength’, he said that India is one of the most powerful nations today and the centre will help in further strengthening the country’s power.
Terming the facility as a matter of pride for the UP Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), the Defence Minister said that it has already created around 500 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs, reflecting the state’s growing stature as a defence manufacturing hub.
He said that the Narendra Modi-led government’s vision of setting-up the corridor rests on its goal of developing the state as the world’s top defence production and export destination.
Rajnath said, “So far, a total of 180 MoUs (memorandums of understanding) have been signed in UPDIC with a proposed investment of Rs 34,000 crore and an investment of Rs 4,000 crore has already been made. Major investments have been made in aircraft manufacturing, UAVs, drones, ammunition, composite and critical materials, small arms, textile and parachute.”
He said, “The highlight is that the participation of both public sector and the private sectors are being witnessed. In Lucknow itself, titanium and super alloy material plants are being started by PTC Industries Limited. In addition, the foundation of seven additional critical projects is being laid. This would accelerate the pace of India’s self-reliance in the defence sector.”
The Minister reiterated the government’s vision of ‘Make-in-India, Make-for-the-World’, stressing that self-reliance not only means catering to India’s own security needs, but it also envisages making the country a key exporter of defence equipment to the global market.
Citing a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which said that global military expenditure has risen to 2,718 billion dollars in 2024, he said that such a massive market is an opportunity India must seize. “The launch of the BrahMos facility is a firm stride towards making India a significant player in the world’s defence production ecosystem,” he said.
Rajnath appreciated the efforts of the UP government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, DRDO scientists, engineers and other stakeholders for completing the project within 40 months. “Given the current circumstances, it is crucial that we continue to achieve our goals in a time-bound and efficient manner,” he said.
He credited the state government for creating a strong development ecosystem and implementing initiatives such as setting up of UPDIC, establishment of DRDO’s Defence Technology and Test Centre in Lucknow and hosting DefExpo in 2020.
The 200-acre BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility Centre in Lucknow will have integration of booster sub-assemblies, avionics, propellant, ramjet engines. The programme centre with Design & Administrative blocks are also being planned in the complex.
The approximately Rs 300 crore complex will pave the way for skill development for industry and entrepreneurs in a long way. The entire defence ecosystem of ancillary and sub-assemblies will be developed in the vicinity to support the complex. It will help in a big way in industrialisation and skill development of students of ITI, supervisors, engineers. It will ensure that people are not forced to migrate to look for job opportunities.
Brahmos Aerospace has selected 36 trainees for the operation of the facility. Five of these newly selected trainees were felicitated by the UP CM as part of the inauguration.
UNI
