India plans to supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles along with Astra air-to-air missiles to Indonesia, according to an Indian government official on Tuesday, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Jakarta. Earlier reports from Indian sources indicated that a deal, valued at approximately $630 million, is likely to be signed during Modi’s stay.
Indonesia is set to become the third country to formalize an agreement to purchase these missiles, produced by BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited. This deal signifies a significant boost in India’s defense exports and strengthens strategic partnerships with Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
Developed collaboratively by India and Russia, BrahMos missiles are among the fastest in the world and can be launched from land, sea, and air platforms. The Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile can be integrated with Indonesian Sukhoi fighters, which are domestically made by Russia.
Officials on both sides did not immediately respond to requests for comments. Indonesia had previously announced in March an agreement with India to acquire the BrahMos missile system. At that time, Indonesia’s Defense Ministry described the deal as being in advanced negotiations, with an expected value between $200 million and $350 million.
India has also reached agreements to sell BrahMos missiles to Vietnam and the Philippines and has garnered interest from more than half a dozen other nations, including the United Arab Emirates.
During his visit, Modi is expected to discuss maritime security, defense industrial cooperation, regional connectivity, and broader strategic coordination within the Indo-Pacific region with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The negotiations around the BrahMos deal are expected to emphasize a phased approach, allowing Indonesia to incrementally expand its missile capabilities. The package under consideration may include missile systems, supporting infrastructure, operator training, maintenance services, and other technical support aimed at long-term deployment.
Trade between India and Indonesia reached $28.15 billion in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, positioning Indonesia as India’s second-largest trading partner within ASEAN.
Ahead of the visit, Modi emphasized that his trips to Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand are designed to bolster India’s “Act East” policy, its commitment to regional security, and its vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.