IRIA News

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Indonesia has formally initiated the purchase of BrahMos cruise missiles from India, according to Indian media. The Indian embassy in Jakarta has received a letter from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense regarding the potential purchase of $450 million.

India has been actively engaging with Southeast Asian nations to export the BrahMos missile, a jointly produced missile by India and Russia.

The discussions with Indonesia gained traction in December 2024, during Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi’s visit to the country. The talks focused on Indonesia’s interest in the air-launched version of BrahMos, a system that aligns with Jakarta’s ongoing military modernization efforts.

Indonesia’s Defense Minister, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, confirmed that collaboration on BrahMos technology is part of the defense collaboration agenda. While budget constraints have previously hindered progress, Indonesian President Subianto is now advocating for an increased defense budget, signaling a stronger commitment to enhancing the country’s military capabilities.

Indonesian President Subianto’s upcoming visit to New Delhi and meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to expedite the BrahMos deal.

Jakarta’s interest in BrahMos

Indonesia has long sought to upgrade its defense systems to address regional security challenges, particularly in the maritime domain. The BrahMos missile, with its ability to cruise at Mach 3 and fly as low as 10 meters during the terminal phase, makes it a formidable weapon against hostile targets.

The missile is deployable from submarines, ships, aircraft, and land platforms, which adds to its appeal for Indonesia, a nation with extensive coastlines and critical sea lanes.

Indonesia’s existing military inventory includes Russian Su-27 fighters and Kilo-class submarines, making the BrahMos a logical addition. India is likely to sweeten the deal with a loan offer from the State Bank of India or another national bank, given that a previous arrangement with the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank did not materialize.

Strategic significance

The BrahMos missile embodies cutting-edge technology and serves as a cornerstone of India’s military capabilities. Its status as part of India’s nuclear triad underscores its strategic importance. While India holds a 50.5% stake in BrahMos Aerospace, Russia, with a 49.5% stake, retains a veto over third-party sales. Despite this, BrahMos Aerospace has successfully established a portfolio of $7 billion in orders, with Southeast Asia emerging as a key market.

India has already delivered BrahMos missiles to the Philippines and is in advanced talks with Vietnam for a $700 million deal. These moves align with India’s broader strategy to counterbalance China’s growing assertiveness in the region by strengthening the defense capabilities of its neighbors through the Line of Credit (LoC) mechanism.

Jaiteerth Joshi, the Director-General of BrahMos Aerospace, expressed optimism about securing new export orders, stating, “There are many countries that have evinced a strong interest in buying BrahMos. We are advancing our negotiations with all the interested parties and are quite hopeful of signing our next export order soon.”

India-Indonesia defense cooperation

Beyond the BrahMos deal, Indonesia is exploring broader defense collaborations with India. President Subianto is reportedly interested in leveraging India’s expertise in maintaining Sukhoi fighter jets, given the Indian Air Force’s extensive experience with the Su-30 MKI. State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) could play a key role in this partnership, supporting Indonesia’s fleet of Su-27 and Su-30 aircraft.

India is also keen to promote its Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Akash surface-to-air missile systems, and helicopters to Indonesia. Such deals would further cement defense ties and contribute to Indonesia’s military modernization.

The potential BrahMos sale to Indonesia comes at a time when regional tensions, particularly in the South China Sea, are on the rise. India’s delivery of BrahMos missiles to the Philippines has already bolstered the region’s defense posture. Deploying BrahMos in Indonesia would further enhance the security of vital maritime routes and signal a unified stance against expansionist threats.