India and Indonesia Move Closer to BrahMos Missile Deal as Negotiations Continue
India and Indonesia are nearing an agreement for the supply of the BrahMos cruise missile system, although key details such as the final price and the number of missile batteries are still under discussion, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
If finalised, the agreement would make Indonesia only the second international buyer of the BrahMos missile, which is jointly developed by India and Russia.
Indonesia Could Become Second Overseas Buyer
India previously secured its first foreign sale of the BrahMos system in January 2022 through a deal worth around $375 million with the Philippines. Under that agreement, three batteries of the missile were supplied to the Philippine Marine Corps.
The potential deal with Indonesia would mark another significant milestone for India’s growing defence exports.
Talks Continued During High-Level Visits
Discussions about the missile system reportedly progressed during Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin’s visit to India in November last year.
The topic was also raised during the state visit of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to India in January 2025, when he attended the country’s Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest.
Sources say negotiations are still underway regarding critical aspects of the deal, including pricing, the number of missile units to be delivered, and possible technology transfer—an issue that Indonesia considers particularly important.
Focus on Naval Deployment
Officials in Indonesia have suggested that the country is primarily interested in the naval version of the BrahMos missile, which could enhance its maritime defence capabilities.
A spokesperson for Indonesia’s defence ministry, Rico Ricardo Sirait, indicated that acquiring the missile system would be part of the country’s broader efforts to modernise its military equipment, particularly in the maritime domain.
Defence Cooperation Expanding
The Indonesian Navy chief, Admiral Muhammad Ali, visited BrahMos Aerospace during a trip to India in January 2025 to review the missile system.
Earlier, engineers from BrahMos Aerospace had also visited the state-owned PT PAL Indonesia shipyard in Surabaya to explore the possibility of integrating the missile system onto Indonesian naval vessels.
In addition to the missile system, India has offered Indonesia other defence cooperation initiatives, including coastal surveillance radars, marine-grade steel for shipbuilding, and maintenance support for the Sukhoi Su-30 fighter aircraft used by the Indonesian Air Force.
Deal Value and Strategic Significance
Reports suggest the proposed deal could be worth approximately $450 million. The BrahMos missile system has gained significant strategic attention after India reportedly deployed it effectively during the brief military confrontation with Pakistan in May 2025 under Operation Sindoor.
If concluded, the agreement with Indonesia would further strengthen India’s position as a rising exporter of advanced defence technology.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and official statements. The content is intended for informational purposes only. The publication does not independently verify third-party claims or assertions mentioned in the developments.