Indonesia is now on the verge of finalising a significant defence agreement with India for the acquisition of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed that negotiations are in the final stages, with the planned supply expected to include coastal defence batteries similar to those exported to the Philippines. Delivery timelines are anticipated to follow soon after the contract is signed, marking another milestone in India’s expanding defence export portfolio.

The deals with both Vietnam and Indonesia are closely aligned with India’s Act East policy, which seeks to deepen strategic and economic ties with ASEAN nations. They also reinforce India’s growing role as a trusted defence partner in Southeast Asia.

By supplying BrahMos systems, India is not only strengthening bilateral relations but also positioning itself as a reliable source of advanced military technology in the region.

Country Deal Status Value Key Features/Strategic Notes
Philippines First foreign customer; contract signed Jan 2022, first battery delivered Apr 2024 2,700 Crore/$375 million Shore-based anti-ship missile batteries; operational since 2024
Vietnam Deal signed at Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 5,800 Crore/$629 million Includes coastal batteries, missiles, training, logistics; aligns with Act East Policy; addresses South China Sea security concerns
Indonesia Negotiations in final stages, expected delivery within 36 months of signing Undisclosed Coastal defence batteries similar to Philippines; includes technology transfer and joint R&D; part of Act East Policy

Strategically, these moves reflect a dual-track approach. On one hand, India is enhancing its own conventional strike capacity through indigenous systems such as Agni ballistic missiles and the Pralay tactical missile.

On the other, it is arming regional partners with BrahMos to create a networked deterrence arc that complicates China’s power projection in the Indo-Pacific. This export diplomacy, combined with India’s own force modernisation, underscores a deliberate effort to build collective security architecture across Southeast Asia.

One possible scenario is the expansion of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) capabilities, where India integrates its indigenous missile systems with export-driven partnerships to establish a layered deterrence framework.

This would allow ASEAN partners to implement effective anti-access/area denial strategies, thereby strengthening maritime security in contested waters such as the South China Sea. Vietnam’s acquisition of BrahMos, coupled with Indonesia’s expected deal, would significantly bolster regional coastal defence networks.

Alternatively, the rapid deployment of advanced missile systems in Southeast Asia could trigger an accelerated arms race. China may respond by expanding its own missile deployments and naval presence, raising the risk of heightened tensions and potential escalation.

India would then face the challenge of balancing deterrence with escalation management, ensuring that its defence diplomacy does not inadvertently destabilise the region.

The BrahMos missile, jointly developed with Russia, remains one of the fastest and most versatile supersonic cruise missiles in service, capable of striking targets at speeds of Mach 2.8 with precision.

Its export success to the Philippines, Vietnam, and soon Indonesia highlights India’s emergence as a credible defence exporter. These deals also demonstrate the effectiveness of India’s “Make in India” initiative, which has transformed indigenous defence manufacturing into a tool of strategic influence.

India’s growing footprint in Southeast Asia through missile exports is not merely transactional. It represents a broader geopolitical shift where New Delhi is actively shaping the regional security environment. By arming ASEAN partners, India is contributing to a collective deterrence posture that counters unilateral aggression while reinforcing its own strategic depth in the Indo-Pacific.

IDN (With Agency Inputs)