Indonesia is set to become another major international buyer of India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, following Vietnam’s recently confirmed deal with New Delhi. Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said discussions with Indonesia are in the final stages, signalling a major boost for India’s defence export ambitions in Southeast Asia.
The BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, is widely regarded as one of the fastest operational supersonic cruise missiles in the world. It can travel at nearly Mach 3 speed and can be launched from multiple platforms including ships, submarines, aircraft, and land-based launchers. Its speed and manoeuvrability make interception extremely difficult.
Indonesia had earlier confirmed that it entered an agreement with India to procure the missile system as part of efforts to modernise its military hardware and strengthen maritime defence capabilities. Reports suggest the deal could be worth between $200 million and $450 million.
The growing interest in BrahMos reflects India’s expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific defence landscape. After the Philippines became the first foreign buyer in 2022, Vietnam and Indonesia are now emerging as key strategic partners for India’s missile exports.
