India-Indonesia Defense Ties Strengthen with Upcoming BrahMos Missile Deal

Giving the indigenous defense industry a major boost, India and Indonesia are all set to sign the deal for BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. Defense sources said almost all the negotiations for it have been completed, and only approvals from the Russian side are pending to ink the contract. India has jointly developed the missile with Russia, which also has a stake in the missile-manufacturing company.

The deal has been under discussion between India and Indonesia for quite some time. It was discussed during the visit of a high-level delegation of top Indonesian diplomats to New Delhi in January this year. India has already sold these missiles to the Philippines and is now looking to expand the market for this unique weapon system. This missile proved its capability during the India-Pakistan conflict in May.

Recently, senior Indian military leaders, including CDS Anil Chauhan, visited Indonesia. The CDS's visit to Indonesia further strengthened defense ties between India and Indonesia. President Prabowo Subianto's state visit to India in January this year also paved the way for closer cooperation between the Indian and Indonesian militaries. A few years ago, India signed an agreement with the Philippines worth approximately ₹3,500 crore and sold missiles and essential systems.

Defense cooperation between India and Indonesia has deepened significantly in recent years. In 2018, the two countries elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. More than 30 Indian defense companies participated in the India-Indonesia Defense Industry Exhibition held in Jakarta in April 2024. On this occasion, the two countries agreed to enhance defense production and supply chain cooperation. The navies of both countries regularly conduct coordinated patrols and joint exercises, which have strengthened maritime security in the Indian Ocean region. Important agreements have also been signed between the two countries on the defense industry, training, and technology cooperation. The defense partnership between the two countries is also critical for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The BrahMos is a universal long-range supersonic cruise missile system that can be launched from land, sea, and air. The BrahMos was developed as a joint venture between India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Russia's Nautical Polymers and Organics (NPOM). The system has been designed with two variants for anti-ship and land-attack roles. The BrahMos weapon system has been inducted into the Indian Navy as well as the Indian Army.