India and Indonesia close to sealing BrahMos missile deal

The agreement, which still requires approval from Moscow, would mark a significant milestone for New Delhi’s defense exports

India is in the final stages of a deal to sell the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to Indonesia, India Today reported on Wednesday.

The BrahMos is a joint venture by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia. It has become a central element of India’s defense capability, designed to deliver precision strikes from land, sea, and submarine platforms. As a jointly-owned technology, exports require consent from both governments, meaning New Delhi must secure Moscow’s approval before finalizing any sale.

India has reportedly been in talks with Indonesia for an extended period. If concluded, the agreement would strengthen defense ties between the two countries and would come on the heels of Jakarta’s entry into the BRICS bloc in January 2024, which expanded its strategic engagement with member states, including India.

The negotiations with Indonesia on the $450 million missile supply contract are at an advanced stage, Jaiteerth R. Joshi, CEO and managing director of BrahMos Aerospace, said in an interview with RT in February.

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Earlier this year, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto led a high-level delegation to India accompanied by his navy chief, Admiral Muhammad Ali. The delegation visited the missile manufacturer’s headquarters. Indian officials say other countries, including Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia, are also in talks with BrahMos Aerospace over potential purchases.

Last year, the Philippines became the first foreign customer for the BrahMos system, taking delivery of an initial batch in April under a $375 million agreement signed in 2023.

The BrahMos is among the fastest supersonic cruise missiles in the world, according to India Today. Originally capped at a range of about 290km (180 miles), it has since been upgraded for greater reach, increasing its strategic value and drawing heightened interest from Southeast Asian countries amid shifting regional security dynamics.