Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand ceremonial welcome in Indonesia, with Indonesian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and Sukhoi-30 fighter jets escorting Air India One as it entered Indonesian airspace. While the aerial escort symbolised the strong ties between the two countries, the real focus of the visit is expected to be a potential BrahMos supersonic cruise missile deal.
According to Indian diplomatic officials, the visit could provide fresh momentum to negotiations on the BrahMos missile system, with expectations of positive developments during the high-level talks. If finalised, Indonesia would become one of the latest countries to acquire India’s flagship supersonic cruise missile, marking another milestone in India’s emergence as a global defence exporter.
The BrahMos, jointly developed by India and Russia, is among the world’s fastest operational supersonic cruise missiles, capable of being launched from land, sea and air platforms. Known for its precision, speed and versatility, the missile has become a key pillar of India’s defence export strategy and is already in service with the Indian Armed Forces and exported to the Philippines.
Beyond the missile discussions, Prime Minister Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto are expected to strengthen cooperation in maritime security, defence manufacturing, trade, connectivity and Indo-Pacific security. The leaders are also exploring deeper collaboration in defence technology and strategic industries.
The visit highlights India’s growing role as a trusted defence partner in Southeast Asia. If the BrahMos agreement moves forward, it would significantly deepen India-Indonesia strategic ties while reinforcing India’s ambition to become a leading exporter of advanced defence systems.
