India to supply BrahMos, Astra missiles to Indonesia in $630m defence deal

NEW DELHI: India will supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles to Indonesia under a defence agreement expected to be signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jakarta, an Indian government official said on Tuesday.

The deal, estimated to be worth around USD630m, would make Indonesia the third country to sign an agreement to acquire the BrahMos missile system, marking a significant expansion of India’s defence exports and strengthening strategic ties with Southeast Asia’s largest economy amid growing competition with China in the Indo-Pacific.

Defence ties deepen

The BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, is among the world’s fastest cruise missiles and can be launched from land, sea and air platforms. The Astra missile can be integrated with the Indonesian Air Force’s Russian-made Sukhoi fighter jets.

Indonesia had announced in March that it had entered into an agreement with India to procure the BrahMos missile system, with its defence ministry saying at the time that negotiations were at an advanced stage and the deal could be worth between USD200m and USD350m.

Interest in the BrahMos system has increased since India’s four-day conflict with Pakistan last year, during which New Delhi said it used the missile in combat for the first time. India has also signed agreements to export the missile to Vietnam and the Philippines, while several other countries, including the United Arab Emirates, have expressed interest.

Strategic cooperation in focus

Modi began a two-day visit to Indonesia on Tuesday and is expected to hold talks with President Prabowo Subianto on maritime security, defence industrial cooperation, regional connectivity and broader strategic coordination in the Indo-Pacific.

According to Indian sources, discussions on the missile agreement will focus on a phased acquisition model, allowing Indonesia to gradually expand its missile capabilities. The package is expected to include missile systems, supporting infrastructure, operator training, maintenance services and long-term technical assistance.

Bilateral trade between India and Indonesia reached $28.15b in the 2024-25 financial year, making Indonesia India’s second-largest trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Ahead of the visit, Modi said his tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand would reinforce India’s “Act East” policy and its commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.