By India and Indonesia have taken a significant step towards expanding their strategic partnership, with New Delhi confirming that it will supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Astra air-to-air missiles to Jakarta. The announcement coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day official visit to Indonesia, where defence cooperation is expected to feature prominently in discussions with President Prabowo Subianto.
The agreement marks another milestone in India’s growing defence export ambitions and strengthens security ties with Southeast Asia’s largest economy. It also reflects deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region at a time when regional countries are placing greater emphasis on maritime security and defence preparedness.
According to an Indian government official, Indonesia will become the third country to formally procure the BrahMos missile system, developed jointly by India and Russia through BrahMos Aerospace. The Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile will also be supplied as part of the defence package and is expected to be integrated with the Indonesian Air Force’s Russian-origin Sukhoi fighter aircraft.
Sources familiar with the negotiations indicated earlier that the overall agreement could be valued at around $630 million, although the final financial details have not yet been officially disclosed.
Indonesia had announced in March that it had reached an agreement with India to acquire the BrahMos missile system. At the time, officials from Indonesia’s Defence Ministry said negotiations had entered an advanced stage, estimating the deal to be worth between $200 million and $350 million. The latest confirmation suggests that discussions have now progressed into a broader defence cooperation package.
The BrahMos missile is regarded as one of the world’s fastest operational supersonic cruise missiles and can be launched from land, sea and air platforms. The Astra missile, developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is designed for beyond-visual-range aerial combat and will enhance Indonesia’s air defence capabilities.
The agreement is expected to include not only missile deliveries but also supporting infrastructure, operator training, maintenance support and technical assistance to ensure long-term operational readiness. Officials indicated that Indonesia is likely to adopt a phased acquisition model, allowing the country to gradually strengthen its missile capabilities over time.
The deal comes amid rising international interest in the BrahMos system following its operational use by India during last year’s military conflict with Pakistan. Since then, several countries have explored the possibility of acquiring the missile platform as India pushes to emerge as a major global defence exporter.
India has already concluded BrahMos export agreements with the Philippines and Vietnam, while several other countries, including the United Arab Emirates, have reportedly shown interest in the missile system.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to hold wide-ranging talks with President Prabowo Subianto covering maritime security, defence industrial collaboration, regional connectivity, trade and broader Indo-Pacific cooperation. Bilateral trade between India and Indonesia stood at $28.15 billion in 2024-25, making Indonesia India’s second-largest trading partner within ASEAN.
Ahead of his visit, Modi said his engagements with Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand would reinforce India’s Act East Policy, strengthen its vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, and further deepen strategic partnerships across the region.
