The state of Uttar Pradesh is strategically positioning itself as a hub for defence manufacturing under the “Make in UP” initiative. This ambitious plan aims to harness the immense potential of the state’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and elevate its industrial capacity to meet India’s rising demand for defence exports. In a significant development, the Uttar Pradesh government has inked over 150 defence manufacturing contracts valued at Rs 24,000 crore, signalling its intent to tap into India’s rapidly expanding defence export market. With six operational nodes across the state, the Kanpur node is a focal point that attracts the highest investments.
During a media briefing in Lucknow, a government spokesperson highlighted that the Kanpur node is poised to become a major manufacturing hub for defence-related items, including small and large weapons, ammunition, and cutting-edge military attire for the armed forces. Furthermore, the facility will also play a pivotal role in manufacturing equipment for space science applications, adding to the breadth of its capabilities.
The UP Defence Industrial Corridor, spanning Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, and Agra districts, is set to host defence projects, creating an estimated 40,000 new jobs. According to the official, 154 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have been signed with various companies, and approximately 85 deals are in the evaluation stage. The UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), the Corridor’s nodal agency, is actively acquiring land for allocation to industrial groups. UPEIDA has secured 1,700 hectares of land and allocated land to over 40 companies. These companies are expected to invest nearly Rs 8,000 crore in their respective projects, significantly contributing to India’s defence production self-reliance and boosting defence exports, the officer elaborated.
Adani Group ventures into ammunition manufacturing in Kanpur
In the Narwal Tehsil of Kanpur, a sprawling 218-hectare area is currently undergoing development to establish the Defence Industrial Corridor. According to UPEIDA officials, a total of 24 companies have shown keen interest in making investments, with five of them already beginning operations.
Notably, Adani Defence and Aerospace stands out as a major player, having launched two facilities in February with a substantial investment of Rs 1,500 crore dedicated to the production of ammunition and missiles in Kanpur. The mega facilities, touted as South Asia’s largest, were inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the then Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Pande, and Lt Gen N. S. Raja Subramani in the presence of officials from the Ministry of Defence and Uttar Pradesh government. This ambitious project’s primary goal is to facilitate the production of a diverse range of small, medium, and large-calibre ammunition.
Anant Technologies is poised to take the lead in the manufacturing of equipment related to space LEO (low earth orbit) and GEO (geostationary), setting a new standard with a substantial investment of Rs 3,500 crore. In addition, Netra Global Private Limited is set to produce state-of-the-art artillery shells with a significant investment of Rs 360 crore, while Modern Materials and Sciences Private Limited has started manufacturing advanced clothing for soldiers with an investment of Rs 38 crore.
The Kanpur node is expected to create over 18,000 jobs. Currently, more than Rs 1,700 crore investments have been made, leading to immediate employment for 2,500 youths. The Uttar Pradesh government plans to allocate over Rs 62 crore for infrastructure development in the Kanpur node. Projects worth approximately Rs 33 crore have been completed, with construction ongoing for projects exceeding Rs 16 crore. Tender processes are also in progress for projects valued at over Rs 13 crore, as per the UPEIDA.
The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) has established partnerships with numerous companies, including Adani Defence and Aerospace, BrahMos Aerospace, Ancor Research Labs, Tata Technologies, Bharat Dynamics Limited, Delta Combat Systems, SpiceJet Technic, Verivision, HAL, Gliders India, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), and Aerolloy Technologies. Furthermore, the joint venture Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited has successfully delivered 35,000 Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles assembled at the Korwa factory in the Amethi district of U.P. to the Army. Nearly 650,000 AK-203 rifles are projected to be manufactured over the next ten years.
Team BharatShakti
