In a significant development for India’s defence export ambitions, the country is reportedly close to finalizing a $450 million deal with Indonesia for the supply of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system. High-level defence sources indicate that this potential agreement would represent India’s second major export of the BrahMos missile, following an earlier deal with the Philippines.
The proposed contract is in its concluding stages and awaits approval from the Russian side. The BrahMos missile system is co-developed by India and Russia under a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia.
Discussions between India and Indonesia regarding this deal have carried on for several years but gained significant traction after Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to India in January 2025. During this visit, both nations underscored the necessity of enhanced defence cooperation. Following this, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan’s visit to Jakarta further solidified strategic engagement, paving the way for the almost-finalized missile agreement.
Earlier this year, India and Indonesia ratified a new Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) and strengthened their collaboration through the establishment of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC). This framework focuses on various aspects, including defence production, technology exchange, and supply-chain integration, signifying a robust partnership in the defence sector.
This impending agreement follows a landmark ₹3,500 crore ($420 million) BrahMos export contract with the Philippines, completed in 2022, where India has already delivered multiple batches of missile systems. This deal was considered a pivotal stride in enhancing Manila’s maritime security and deterrence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
Should the Indonesia deal be finalized, it will further bolster India’s standing as a credible defence exporter and will enhance New Delhi’s strategic presence in Southeast Asia amid shared security challenges in the South China Sea.
The BrahMos missile’s operational prowess is noteworthy, capable of flying at speeds ranging from Mach 2.8 to 3.0 and engaging targets at distances exceeding 450 km. Its effectiveness in various operational scenarios has been recently underscored, particularly following its deployment during a conflict between India and Pakistan in May 2025, enhancing its global credibility as a defense asset.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently disclosed that India has inked missile export contracts totaling roughly ₹4,000 crore ($450–455 million) with two allied nations, with one of those deals believed to be with Indonesia.
This potential Indonesia contract aligns with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, aimed at establishing the nation as a leading global defence exporter. Countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have all shown interest in acquiring the BrahMos system, illustrating its rising popularity as a high-speed, precision-strike weapon.
As the Indonesian contract nears completion, India stands on the brink of achieving another significant milestone in its pursuit of self-reliance in defence and strategic outreach in the Indo-Pacific. This step reinforces India’s role as both a regional security partner and an emerging defence manufacturing hub.
