India Moves Closer to BrahMos Missile Export Deals with Vietnam and Indonesia Worth $450 Million

India has taken a major step toward finalising agreements to export its BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Vietnam and Indonesia, with the combined value of the proposed deals estimated at over $450 million, defence sources said.

The progress follows confirmation from Russia, India’s joint development partner for the BrahMos missile, that it has no objection to supplying the weapon system to the two Southeast Asian nations. This assurance was conveyed during a high-level meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov on December 4. A formal no-objection certificate from Moscow is now awaited.

Capable of flying at nearly Mach 2.8, the BrahMos missile is among the world’s fastest operational cruise missiles and is designed for high-precision strikes.

According to sources, both Vietnam and Indonesia may place additional orders in the future after signing the initial agreements. Once finalised, the two countries will join the Philippines as ASEAN operators of the air-breathing missile system. India had earlier signed a $375 million contract in January 2022 to supply three BrahMos coastal defence batteries to the Philippines, which is also expected to place repeat orders.

Strategic Context and Expanded Defence Exports

Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines share growing security concerns over China’s expanding influence in the South China Sea, where tensions—particularly between Manila and Beijing—have escalated in recent years.

India has already operationally deployed BrahMos missiles with an extended range of 450 km, up from the original 290 km. The missile has been integrated with Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, enabling long-range precision strikes. The system was reportedly used during Operation Sindoor in May for deep-strike capabilities.

Over the years, India’s armed forces have signed contracts worth nearly ₹60,000 crore with BrahMos Aerospace, making it the backbone of India’s conventional precision-strike arsenal across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

India plans to begin inducting an 800 km-range BrahMos variant from 2028, with testing underway for the upgraded version featuring a modified ramjet engine and enhanced systems.

Beyond BrahMos, India is also offering Akash air defence missile systems and Pinaka multi-launch rocket systems to countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, UAE, and Brazil. The Akash system can intercept aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles within a 25-km range.

Despite being among the world’s top arms importers, India exported defence equipment worth nearly ₹24,000 crore to about 80 countries during the 2024–25 fiscal year. Armenia has emerged as one of the largest buyers of Indian weapon systems, including Akash missiles, Pinaka rockets, and 155mm artillery guns.