"India is now one of the most powerful nations in the world. We are constantly increasing our strength, and I believe that the facility centre that is being inaugurated today will help in further strengthening India`s power," he said while virtually addressing the event from Delhi

"BrahMos is one of the world`s fastest, supersonic cruise missiles. BrahMos is not just a weapon, but it is a message in itself. A message of the strength of our armed forces. A message of our deterrence towards the enemy. A message of our commitment to safeguarding our borders," Singh said

The country`s largest BrahMos integration and testing facility centre in Lucknow will strengthen India`s efforts towards self-reliance in the defence sector, Singh said

"A good thing is that in this defence corridor, we are seeing very important participation of both public and private sectors," he said

On the private sector, he noted that PTC Industries Limited is starting Titanium and super-alloy material plants. "Apart from this, the foundation of seven additional critical projects is also being laid. This will certainly accelerate the pace of India`s self-reliance in the defence sector," the defence minister said