BrahMos Deal on Track: India and Indonesia Discuss $450 Million Missile Sale
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India and Indonesia made significant progress on Thursday in discussions over the possible sale of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to the Southeast Asian country. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in Delhi and presented a model of the missile, which has been used effectively by India against Pakistan in the past. The talks, part of the third India-Indonesia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue, also covered a range of other defence cooperation initiatives, including joint exercises, officer exchanges, and technology transfer. Indonesia has been in negotiations with India over the BrahMos missile system for some time, and the two sides have reportedly reached a broad understanding on the pricing of the deal, which is expected to be worth around $450 million. If the deal goes ahead, Indonesia will become the second foreign buyer of the BrahMos missile after the Philippines. The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on international law and respect for sovereignty. The meeting comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with China seeking to boost its influence through military bases and strategic concessions. However, India and Indonesia remain committed to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, and their defence cooperation is seen as an important step in achieving this goal. The two leaders also discussed other areas of defence cooperation, including collaboration in defence medicine and pharmaceuticals, joint research, and training programs. India also announced a gift of horses and a ceremonial carriage to Indonesia from the Indian Army’s Remount Veterinary Corps. While the details of the BrahMos deal are still to be finalised, the talks between India and Indonesia are seen as a significant step forward in defence cooperation between the two countries. The partnership is expected to continue to grow in the coming months, with a focus on promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
