SOURCE: AFI
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In a groundbreaking move to bolster India’s defense manufacturing ecosystem, the Uttar Pradesh government is establishing a state-of-the-art military hardware testing facility in Lucknow. This facility, the first of its kind in the state and only the second in the country, is poised to enhance the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) while reinforcing India’s push toward self-reliance in defense production.
The ambitious project is being developed under the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS), an initiative launched by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to promote indigenous defense capabilities. A special purpose vehicle (SPV) named the Advanced Material (Defence) Testing Foundation (AMDTF) will oversee the facility’s development and operations. To ensure the project’s swift progress, the Uttar Pradesh government has approved the allocation of free land, signaling its commitment to making the state a hub for defense innovation.
The Lucknow testing facility is designed to address a critical gap in India’s defense sector: the availability of advanced infrastructure to evaluate military hardware. With only one similar facility currently operational in the country, this new center will significantly expand India’s capacity to test and certify a wide range of defense equipment, from small arms and ammunition to advanced systems like drones, missile components, and armored vehicles. By reducing dependence on foreign testing agencies, the facility will cut costs, accelerate production timelines, and enhance the competitiveness of Indian defense manufacturers in the global market.
The project aligns seamlessly with the broader objectives of the UPDIC, one of two defense industrial corridors announced by the central government in 2018 (the other being in Tamil Nadu). Spanning six nodes—Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Agra, Aligarh, and Chitrakoot—the UPDIC aims to attract investment, foster innovation, and create jobs in the defense sector. The new testing facility is expected to serve as a catalyst, providing local manufacturers with the resources to refine their products and meet stringent quality standards, thereby strengthening the corridor’s ecosystem.
Under the DTIS framework, the MoD provides up to 75% of the project funding as a grant, with the remaining 25% contributed by the SPV, which typically includes private industry players and state government entities. This public-private partnership model ensures collaboration between the government and industry, leveraging expertise from both sectors to create a world-class facility. The AMDTF, tasked with managing the project, will focus on testing advanced materials and technologies critical to modern warfare, positioning Uttar Pradesh as a leader in defense R&D.
The establishment of the Lucknow facility comes at a time when India is intensifying efforts to indigenize its defense supply chain. With the government banning the import of numerous defense items and promoting the “Make in India” initiative, domestic manufacturers are under pressure to deliver high-quality, reliable products. The new testing center will play a pivotal role in this transition, offering a dedicated space for validation and certification—an essential step in ensuring that Made-in-India equipment meets both national and international benchmarks.
Beyond its technical contributions, the project promises significant economic benefits for Uttar Pradesh. It is expected to generate employment opportunities, attract defense-related industries to the region, and stimulate ancillary sectors such as logistics and technology services. By positioning Lucknow as a key node in India’s defense manufacturing landscape, the state government aims to elevate its industrial profile and contribute to the national goal of achieving a $25 billion defense production target by 2025.
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