India is set to strengthen its defence partnership with Indonesia after reaching an agreement to supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Astra air-to-air missiles, according to an Indian government official. The deal is expected to be one of India’s biggest defence export agreements and further boost strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The agreement is expected to be finalized during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Jakarta, where he will hold high-level talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on defence, maritime security, regional connectivity, and economic cooperation.
Indian officials familiar with the negotiations said the missile package could be worth approximately $630 million, making Indonesia the third country to purchase the BrahMos missile system after Vietnam and the Philippines.
Major Boost for India’s Defence Exports
The proposed agreement represents another milestone for India’s growing defence manufacturing sector and its ambition to become a major global arms exporter.
Jointly developed by India and Russia, the BrahMos missile is regarded as one of the world’s fastest operational supersonic cruise missiles. The weapon can be launched from land, naval vessels, submarines, and aircraft, offering significant operational flexibility.
Alongside BrahMos, India will also supply Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, which can be integrated with Indonesia’s Russian-made Sukhoi fighter aircraft, enhancing the country’s air combat capabilities.
Phased Acquisition Planned
Officials said both countries are discussing a phased procurement model that would allow Indonesia to gradually strengthen its missile capabilities over the coming years.
The defence package is expected to include missile launch systems, operational infrastructure, technical support, maintenance services, logistics assistance, and training programs for Indonesian military personnel.
Such a comprehensive package is intended to ensure long-term operational readiness and strengthen defence cooperation between the two nations.
Strategic Importance in the Indo-Pacific
The agreement comes amid increasing geopolitical competition across the Indo-Pacific region, where both India and Indonesia have emphasized the importance of maintaining a free, open, and inclusive maritime environment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to discuss maritime security, defence industrial collaboration, and broader regional strategic coordination during his meetings in Jakarta.
The proposed missile sale also reflects Indonesia’s efforts to modernize its armed forces while diversifying its defence partnerships.
Growing Global Demand for BrahMos
International interest in the BrahMos missile system has grown significantly following India’s operational use of the weapon during its conflict with Pakistan last year.
Several countries have reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the missile, including the United Arab Emirates and other nations across Asia and the Middle East.
Earlier this year, Indonesian officials confirmed that negotiations with India had reached an advanced stage, although previous estimates had valued the agreement between $200 million and $350 million before the package was expanded.
Stronger Bilateral Relations
India and Indonesia continue to deepen economic and strategic ties beyond defence cooperation.
Bilateral trade between the two countries reached $28.15 billion during 2024-25, making Indonesia India’s second-largest trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Ahead of his Southeast Asia tour, Prime Minister Modi said his visits to Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand would reinforce India’s Act East Policy, strengthen regional security partnerships, and support a stable Indo-Pacific region.
The expected missile agreement is viewed as another important step in expanding India’s defence exports while reinforcing long-term strategic cooperation with one of Southeast Asia’s largest economies.
