India Nears $450 Million BrahMos Missile Export Deals with Vietnam and Indonesia

India has moved closer to finalising major defence export agreements with Vietnam and Indonesia for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, marking a significant milestone in New Delhi’s expanding defence diplomacy in Southeast Asia. The proposed deals, together valued at over ₹4,000 crore (around $450 million), underscore India’s growing role as a supplier of advanced weapon systems to friendly countries.

Russia Clears Path for Exports to Southeast Asia

The BrahMos missile is jointly developed by India and Russia, making Moscow’s consent essential for third-country exports. Russia has conveyed that it has no objection to India supplying the missile systems to Vietnam and Indonesia. This assurance was communicated during a delegation-level meeting between Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov earlier this month. A formal no-objection certificate from Russia is now awaited, after which the contracts can be formally signed.

Strategic Context in the South China Sea

Vietnam and Indonesia, like the Philippines, face persistent strategic pressure due to China’s expanding footprint and assertive actions in the South China Sea. India had earlier signed a $375 million contract with the Philippines in January 2022 for three BrahMos coastal defence batteries. Manila is also expected to place follow-on orders. Once the new agreements are concluded, Vietnam and Indonesia will become the second and third ASEAN countries to induct the high-speed precision-strike missile.

BrahMos Capabilities and Indian Operational Experience

BrahMos is an air-breathing supersonic cruise missile capable of speeds up to Mach 2.8. Its range has been extended from the original 290 km to around 450 km. The missile has been successfully integrated with Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft and was reportedly used by India for deep precision strikes during Operation Sindoor in May. Over the years, Indian armed forces have signed contracts worth nearly ₹60,000 crore with BrahMos Aerospace, making it a cornerstone of India’s conventional strike capability.

What to Note for UPSC Prelims?

• BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia.
• The missile currently has a range of about 450 km and a speed of nearly Mach 2.8.
• The Philippines became the first foreign buyer of BrahMos in 2022.
• India plans to induct an extended-range 800 km BrahMos variant from 2028.

Broader Defence Export Push

Beyond BrahMos, India is offering Akash air defence systems and Pinaka multi-launch rocket systems to Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and other friendly nations such as the UAE and Brazil. Despite remaining one of the world’s top arms importers, India exported defence equipment worth nearly ₹24,000 crore to around 80 countries in the 2024–25 fiscal, reflecting a steady rise in its global defence manufacturing footprint.