Defence Ministers Discuss BrahMos Procurement Details
India and Indonesia have taken significant steps toward finalizing the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile deal during their third Defence Ministers' Dialogue held in New Delhi on Thursday. The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, marking substantial progress in the potential weapon system sale to Jakarta.
Strengthening Strategic Partnership
During the high-level discussions, both nations reaffirmed their long-standing strategic partnership and commitment to deepening bilateral defence cooperation. In a symbolic gesture highlighting the growing ties, Singh presented a model of the BrahMos missile to Sjamsoeddin, underscoring the importance of this potential defence collaboration.
The dialogue revealed that Indonesia would become the second country to procure the BrahMos system from India if the deal materializes. The Philippines previously acquired three batteries of the weapon system in 2022, with missiles having an operational range of approximately 290 kilometers.
BrahMos Capabilities and Upgrades
The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile represents a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya. This advanced weapon system has been operational across all three branches of India's defence services and played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor, where it successfully engaged targets inside Pakistan.
Significant upgrades are currently underway to enhance the missile's capabilities. The range is being extended from 290 km to 500 km for land attacks and 400 km for ship attacks. Additional improvements include electronic counter-counter measures to ensure the system remains at the forefront of military technology.
Expanding Global Reach and Regional Stability
Brahmos Aerospace Private Ltd is actively pursuing export opportunities for both the current missile system and its next-generation compact version, BrahMos NG. The company has identified at least ten potential client countries, including South Africa and several West Asian nations such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt.
According to an official Defence Ministry statement, both nations emphasized the importance of maintaining a free, open, peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The statement noted that this vision is guided by international law and respect for sovereignty, with Indonesia expressing appreciation for India's proposal to establish a Joint Defence Industry Cooperation Committee.
The defence dialogue also covered collaboration in defence medicine and pharmaceuticals, featuring joint research initiatives, technology transfer arrangements, and training programs designed to strengthen military health resilience. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace in Palestine, with Indonesia confirming its readiness to deploy peacekeeping personnel to Gaza under United Nations mandate.
