Indonesia to buy BrahMos missiles, Indian govt official says
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- India will supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Astra air-to-air missiles to Indonesia, an Indian government official said on July 7 as PM Modi began a two-day visit to Jakarta.
- BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, the Indian-Russian joint venture that manufactures the missiles, is negotiating a package worth around $630 million, with signing expected during Modi's trip.
- Indonesia would become the third BrahMos buyer after Vietnam and the Philippines, acquiring missile systems, supporting infrastructure, operator training, and maintenance services under a phased acquisition model that allows gradual capability expansion.
- BrahMos missiles are jointly developed by India and Russia, can be launched from land, sea, and air platforms, and saw a surge in interest after India used them in combat for the first time during its four-day conflict with Pakistan last year.
- Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles can be integrated onto Russian-made Sukhoi fighter jets already in service with the Indonesian Air Force.
- Modi is scheduled to hold talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on maritime security, defence industrial cooperation, and regional connectivity, as bilateral trade between the two countries reached $28.15 billion in 2024-25.
- In March, Indonesia had announced a BrahMos procurement agreement then valued at $200–$350 million — the figure has since roughly doubled to the $630 million range now reported.
Why it matters: This roughly $630 million deal marks a major expansion of India's defence exports and deepens strategic ties with Southeast Asia's largest economy amid growing competition with China for Indo-Pacific influence. Indonesia becomes the third BrahMos buyer after Vietnam and the Philippines, reflecting surging demand since India combat-tested the missile against Pakistan last year and positioning India as an arms supplier in a region where China is the dominant seller.
