New Delhi, India | November 27, 2025:
In a major boost to Indo-Pacific defense cooperation, India and Indonesia have finalized a $400 million deal for the supply of 24 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and associated launchers. The signing took place today in New Delhi, attended by high-level delegations from both countries and envoys from ASEAN nations.
The contract, negotiated over 18 months, equips Indonesia’s naval frigates with the versatile BrahMos missile, capable of striking targets at Mach 3 speeds over 290 kilometers. The agreement strengthens Jakarta’s maritime deterrence amid ongoing South China Sea tensions, while signaling New Delhi’s rise as a leading global arms exporter.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the deal as a “testament to our growing strategic partnership,” while Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto highlighted its role in modernizing Indonesia’s archipelago defense doctrine for asymmetric maritime warfare. The BrahMos, a joint Russia-India development since 1998, has already seen exports to the Philippines and drawn interest from Vietnam.
Beyond security, the agreement is projected to generate 500 jobs in Indian manufacturing hubs like Hyderabad and includes technology transfer provisions. Critics in Indonesia voiced concerns over costs, but supporters argue the system offers a cost-effective alternative to pricier Western missile platforms.
The deal also complements the Quad framework, with planned joint training exercises in 2026 to enhance interoperability between Indian and Indonesian forces. Analysts note that this pact could reshape regional power dynamics in Southeast Asia while demonstrating India’s push to expand indigenous defense technology exports.
