In a significant boost to India’s defence export ambitions, Indonesia is close to signing a major deal with India for the acquisition of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, according to an ANI report. The agreement, years in the making, is now in its final stages, awaiting approval from the Russian co-developers of the joint venture before being formally inked.
Negotiations between the two nations have reportedly concluded, and both sides are prepared to move ahead once the final green light is given by the Russian partners. Reports suggest that the deal is expected to be announced within the next few months, marking Indonesia’s first major missile purchase from India.
The development follows a series of high-level diplomatic and defence exchanges. Indonesia’s Defence Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto visited New Delhi in January 2025, where discussions with Indian officials accelerated the project. Soon after, India’s Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan travelled to Jakarta, cementing bilateral cooperation in maritime and defence security.
If finalised, the Indonesia contract will mark another milestone for India’s defence export programme, following the successful Rs 3,500 crore BrahMos deal with the Philippines signed in 2022. The Philippines has already received its first delivery of the missile system, which has significantly strengthened its coastal defence capabilities amid rising regional tensions in the South China Sea.
Jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia, the BrahMos is one of the world’s fastest cruise missiles, capable of flying at speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3. It can be launched from land, air, and sea platforms, offering versatility in both coastal and deep-sea strike operations.
The missile system has a proven operational record and was reportedly deployed during limited action in the India-Pakistan conflict earlier this year, further establishing its reliability and precision capabilities.
The deal with Indonesia will not only deepen defence and maritime cooperation between New Delhi and Jakarta but also strengthen India’s reputation as a reliable arms exporter and regional security partner. The Southeast Asian nations are increasingly turning to India’s indigenous systems as cost-effective, high-performance alternatives to Western or Chinese weapon platforms.
