NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at strengthening India’s indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has acquired 75 hectares of land in the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) defense node at Chitrakoot.The defense PSU will invest around Rs 600 crore to set up an advanced manufacturing facility that will cater to futuristic defense programs, including the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), the upcoming Kusha Air Defense System, next-generation radar systems, and a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, the company said.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath handed over the land allotment letter to BEL Chairman and Managing Director Manoj Jain, highlighting the project’s role in boosting high-tech defense production in the state.“Under this project, BEL will establish an advanced manufacturing unit for the production of state-of-the-art radar and air defense systems with an investment of approximately Rs 562.5 crore. This initiative will not only strengthen high-technology-based production in the defense sector but will also provide a new direction to the expansion of industrial efficiency and technical capabilities in the state,” Adityanath said.He added that the project is expected to generate over 300 direct jobs, along with significant indirect employment in auxiliary and allied sectors. “As a result, there is a possibility of generating more than 300 direct employment opportunities, while large-scale indirect employment will also be created in auxiliary and allied sectors, opening new avenues for local youth,” he said.The development is part of Uttar Pradesh’s broader push to emerge as a key hub in India’s defense industrial ecosystem.