₹35,000 Crore investments taking shape in UP defence corridors, says CM Yogi Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said that investment proposals worth over ₹35,000 crore are now being implemented across the state’s six defence industrial corridors.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the NorthTech Symposium, the chief minister highlighted that these corridors are located in Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Agra, Aligarh, and Chitrakoot, and are rapidly emerging as key hubs for defence manufacturing.
He noted that Aligarh is developing as a centre for small arms and defence equipment, while Kanpur—historically known as the “Manchester of the East”—is evolving into a hub for ammunition, missiles, defence textiles, and protective gear. Lucknow is focused on BrahMos missile production and heavy defence manufacturing, while Chitrakoot and Agra are being positioned for precision engineering in aerospace and defence sectors.
Adityanath added that the state government has created a substantial land bank and introduced incentives under its defence and aerospace policy to attract investors. Manufacturing activities in the corridors include artillery shells, drones, bulletproof jackets, and advanced communication systems aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the armed forces.
Highlighting Uttar Pradesh’s industrial ecosystem, he said the state has a strong base of MSMEs, with around 96 lakh units operational, and a workforce with 56 per cent skilled manpower.
The chief minister also announced collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur to establish a Centre of Excellence for drone technology.
He further pointed out that more than 21,000 startups have been set up in the state across sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors, drones, and data centres.
Referring to governance reforms, Adityanath said his government has prioritised law and order since 2017, adopting a zero-tolerance approach towards crime. He credited improved security and infrastructure—including expressways, highways, metro networks, and air connectivity—for attracting major investments into the state.
The three-day NorthTech Symposium, inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on May 4, saw participation from over 250 defence companies showcasing advanced technologies and products.
