UP: In a strategic move to bolster its defense manufacturing capabilities, Uttar Pradesh is actively developing a defense corridor alongside its industrial corridor. The Defense Corridor project has gained momentum with finalized proposals worth Rs 25 thousand crore, attracting interest from multinational companies eager to invest in key districts such as Jhansi, Lucknow, and Aligarh.
Six Districts, One Vision: Defense Corridor Blueprint:
The Defense Corridor is taking shape across six districts: Aligarh, Jhansi, Kanpur, Agra, Chitrakoot, and Lucknow. To accommodate this ambitious project, 5000 hectares of land are slated for acquisition, with 1700 hectares already secured and allocated to investors. The development is being executed in two phases, with Aligarh, Kanpur, and Lucknow nodes witnessing the distribution of acquired land to interested investors.
Strategic Investments and Global Interest:
Multinational companies have displayed keen interest in the Defense Corridor, evident from the signing of 138 MOUs in the state’s six nodes. Notably, Bharat Dynamics Ltd. in Jhansi has attracted several big companies looking to invest, with four multinational companies expressing their intent through MOUs.
Land Allocation Across Nodes:
- Lucknow: 150 hectares
- Jhansi: 1,034 hectares
- Aligarh: 84 hectares
- Chitrakoot: 101 hectares
- Kanpur: 200 hectares
Diverse Defense Manufacturing Across Nodes:
Each node of the Defense Corridor is designated for specific defense product manufacturing:
- Aligarh: Unmanned drones, spare parts manufacturing, and small arms units.
- Kanpur: Units specializing in special clothes and textiles, weapons, parachutes, bulletproof jackets, and spare parts for the army.
- Jhansi: Arms, Ammunition, and Testing Center.
- Lucknow: BrahMos Missile, Aerospace Cluster, and Aero Engine Cluster.
- Chitrakoot: Weapons Testing Center.
- Agra: Non-polluting units and electronics.
Key Industry Players and Collaborators:
Several major companies and institutions have signed agreements to contribute to the Defense Corridor initiative, including Adani Defense & Aerospace, Anchor Research Lab, Zenser, SAIL, Amitech, BrahMos Aerospace, Tata Technologies, Optic Electronics India, Bharat Dynamics Ltd., Allen & Alvon, Delta Combat, Hans Energy, SpiceJet Technologies, Varivin Defence, BEML, HAL, Gliders India, IIT Kanpur, IIT BHU, and DRDO.
As the Defense Corridor takes concrete shape, Uttar Pradesh positions itself as a significant player in defense manufacturing, fostering economic growth and strengthening national security capabilities. The successful implementation of this ambitious project is expected to drive innovation, create job opportunities, and elevate the state’s status in the defense manufacturing landscape.
