India-Indonesia Defence Ties Strengthen as BrahMos Sale Talks Heat Up
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India and Indonesia have taken a significant step forward in their defence cooperation, with talks on the sale of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile gaining momentum. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin met in Delhi on Thursday to discuss the proposed sale, which is expected to be worth around $450 million. According to sources, the two countries have reached a broad understanding on the pricing of the deal, paving the way for Indonesia to become the second foreign buyer of the missile after the Philippines. India has already signed a deal with the Philippines worth almost $375 million to equip the Philippine Marines with three batteries of the missiles. The meeting between Singh and Sjamsoeddin marked the third India-Indonesia Defence Ministers' Dialogue, which focused on enhancing practical cooperation in maritime domain awareness, cyber resilience, and joint operational readiness. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maritime security, including coordination in the Indian Ocean. India's experience in submarine development and supply-chain management, including the Scorpene-class programme, was acknowledged as highly valuable for Indonesia's future plans. The two countries also discussed collaboration in defence medicine and pharmaceuticals, including joint research, technology transfer, and training programs to strengthen military health resilience. The meeting took place at a time when China is seeking to boost its influence in the Indo-Pacific region by setting up military bases, pushing countries to advance its maritime claims, and forcing strategic concessions from vulnerable states. India and Indonesia's strengthened defence ties are seen as a significant counter to China's growing ambitions in the region. The two countries have agreed to continue officer exchanges, joint training programmes, and visits to defence education institutions to promote interoperability and knowledge sharing. India has also announced the gifting of horses and ceremonial carriage to Indonesia from the Indian Army's Remount Veterinary Corps. The defence ministers expressed their satisfaction with the Dialogue's outcomes and the need to continue high-level exchanges, practical cooperation, and structured management across multiple areas of defence and security, thereby contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
