LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh is expanding its defence industrial corridor by developing specialised manufacturing hubs in five cities, with each location focusing on a different segment of the defence industry.According to the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), Kanpur is being developed for small arms, ammunition and defence textiles.Lucknow is focusing on missile systems, aerospace components and advanced materials.Aligarh is emerging as a centre for drones, counter drone systems and electronic warfare technologies.Jhansi is attracting projects related to explosives, ammunition and heavy defence manufacturing, while Chitrakoot is being developed for defence electronics and system integration.Several manufacturing units have already started operations in these locations, while many other projects are under construction. The state government has also proposed new defence testing facilities at IIT Kanpur and in Lucknow to support product testing and certification for defence manufacturers.Among the major investments announced are facilities by Bharat Electronics Limited in Chitrakoot, BrahMos Aerospace in Lucknow, Bharat Dynamics Limited in Jhansi and companies working on drones, defence equipment and aerospace components in Aligarh and Kanpur.The corridor is intended to create a connected manufacturing network where different cities contribute to different stages of defence production, from components and materials to testing and final integration.Industry observers say the long term impact of the project will depend on how quickly the proposed investments become operational, the level of private sector participation and whether the corridor is able to generate sustained manufacturing activity, jobs and exports in the coming years.
