Over ₹34,000 Crore Invested in Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor, Says Rajnath Singh

Lucknow | January 9, 2026: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said Uttar Pradesh has firmly positioned itself as a key centre for defence manufacturing, with investments exceeding ₹34,000 crore made across six nodes of the state’s defence corridor. He said the progress reflects India’s growing self-reliance in the production of weapons, ammunition and defence equipment. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating Ashok Leyland’s state-of-the-art electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Lucknow, Singh asserted that India is no longer dependent on foreign nations for critical defence needs. Weapons, missiles and advanced defence systems are now being produced within the country, including large-scale manufacturing units established in Uttar Pradesh. The Defence Minister said the corridor spans six locations—Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Agra, Aligarh and Chitrakoot—where arms, ammunition and equipment related to fighter aircraft are being manufactured. He added that several major companies have already set up units under the corridor initiative, strengthening the domestic defence ecosystem. Highlighting the Uttar Pradesh Aerospace and Defence Unit and Employment Promotion Policy, Singh said the state aims to attract substantial investment over the next five years while generating large-scale employment for local youth. He credited Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for providing industry-friendly policies, timely clearances and land allocation, noting that the “double-engine” government has significantly accelerated industrial and defence-related development in the state. Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor Draws Over ₹34,000 Crore Investment: Rajnath Singh Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a major defence manufacturing hub, with investments crossing ₹34,000 crore across six defence corridor nodes. He stated that this growth marks a strong step towards India’s goal of becoming self-reliant in defence production. Speaking in Lucknow after inaugurating Ashok Leyland’s advanced electric vehicle manufacturing plant, Singh said the country is no longer dependent on imports for weapons, missiles and defence equipment. These are now being manufactured domestically, with Uttar Pradesh playing a crucial role in this transformation. The Defence Minister noted that the defence corridor spans Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Agra, Aligarh and Chitrakoot, where arms, ammunition and fighter aircraft-related equipment are being produced. He added that several large companies have established manufacturing units in the state, strengthening the defence ecosystem. Referring to the Uttar Pradesh Aerospace and Defence Unit and Employment Promotion Policy, Singh said the initiative aims to attract more investment and create employment for lakhs of youth. He credited Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for ensuring land availability, quick approvals and smooth implementation, which have accelerated industrial development in the state.