First batch of BrahMos made in Lucknow delivered to Army; national security is collective duty of every citizen, not just forces: Rajnath | India News

NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said India will become completely self-reliant in the defence sector, disclosing that “manufacturing of the BrahMos missile has begun in Lucknow and the first batch has been delivered to the Army”. He also pointed out that national security, an indispensable pillar of India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat, is a collective duty of every citizen, and not the sole responsibility of the defence forces.Speaking at the war heroes & ‘veer naris’ felicitation ceremony in Lucknow, Rajnath said India’s domestic defence production for the 2024-25 fiscal year reached a record Rs 1.5 lakh crore. In addition, he highlighted that the nation’s defence exports reached an all-time high of Rs 38,424 crore in the 2025-26 financial year.“These are just a few examples. Numerous such efforts are under way, which are laying the foundation for a self-reliant and empowered India. I am fully confident that with the pace at which we are progressing, we will soon become completely self-reliant in the defense sector, and India’s name will be among the top countries in the world,” he said.“It is a matter of pride for Lucknow that it has been declared a defence node along with Agra and Kanpur. It’s a matter of pride that its first batch of BrahMos has already been handed over to our Army. Along with this, many other small and large factories related to defence equipment are also being established,” Rajnath said.Stressing that no individual can afford to remain passive in the face of evolving challenges, he said, “Safeguarding national interests requires coordinated efforts across all sections of society. The citizens must contribute meaningfully to national security by abiding by the law, rejecting misinformation, and placing the nation’s interests above personal gains.”