LUCKNOW, March 13 -- Among the six nodes of the UP Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), Kanpur and Jhansi nodes have got majority of investments out of Rs 35,526.76 crore received till date. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UP Investors' Summit in Lucknow on February 21, 2018, the corridor spans six strategic nodes-Kanpur, Jhansi, Lucknow, Aligarh, Agra, and Chitrakoot-under the supervision of the UP Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA). Beyond manufacturing, the corridor is driving jobs, skills, and MSME-led ancillarisation-integrating start-ups into the global defence supply chain. Emerging as a strategic hub, it is powering innovation, exports, and cutting-edge growth in aerospace and defence, the state government said on Thursday. According to UPEIDA's latest report, the UPDIC has received investment proposals worth Rs 35,526.76 crore. Out of the 2,040 hectares of land procured, 977.54 hectares have already been allotted to industries. So far, 62 companies have been allocated land across the six nodes, with nine units becoming operational and lease deeds underway for 11 more. Node-wise investments include Rs 12,803 crore in Kanpur, Rs 11,738 crore in Jhansi, Rs 4,850 crore in Lucknow, Rs 4,490 crore in Aligarh, Rs 880 crore in Chitrakoot, and Rs 607 crore in Agra-underscoring the corridor's rapid growth and strategic importance. Leading players have already begun production. Adani Defence has started operations at its Rs 1,500 crore Kanpur ammunition plant-the corridor's largest investment to date. In Aligarh, Amitec Electronics (Rs 330 crore) is producing electronic warfare and satellite systems, while Werywin Defence (Rs 65 crore) and Nitya Creations (Rs 12 crore) have commenced small arms and precision components manufacturing. Lucknow is emerging as a hub for advanced materials and missile systems, with Aerolloy Technologies (Rs 320 crore) producing titanium castings, BrahMos Aerospace (Rs 300 crore) assembling the BrahMos NG, and Sankalp Safety Solutions (Rs 14 crore) manufacturing safety gear. Kanpur's growth continues with A R Polymers (Rs 48 crore) producing ballistic materials and Adhunik Materials (Rs 38.58 crore) manufacturing defence textiles....