India, Russia, and Indonesia have agreed on a $450 million deal for BrahMos cruise missiles. The agreement comes ahead of President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to India for Republic Day celebrations following over seven years of negotiations. Indonesia seeks technology transfer for the missiles to ensure spare part availability, reflecting broader defense cooperation between the nations.
India, Russia, and Indonesia have reached an agreement on the pricing for a $450 million deal to supply BrahMos cruise missiles to Indonesia’s armed forces. This agreement comes ahead of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to New Delhi for Republic Day celebrations. Negotiations between New Delhi and Jakarta have spanned over seven years, involving Russia’s state organization for weapons exports, Rosoboronexport, which must approve all BrahMos transactions.
The Indian government is anticipated to officially announce President Prabowo’s visit on Thursday, which is scheduled for January 26, during the Republic Day events. There is a possibility that formal announcements regarding the BrahMos missile deal may coincide with this visit. However, several procedural steps still need to be completed by India and Russia, and contract financing details are still being finalized, suggesting that the finalization of the deal may take some additional months.
If finalized, Indonesia will become the second international customer for the BrahMos missile system, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers and produced by the Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace. Previously, the Philippines acquired three batteries of BrahMos cruise missiles, with their deal valued at $375 million, supporting India’s ambitions to be a defense hardware exporter.
In recent negotiations, Indonesia has requested technology transfer regarding the missile system to ensure self-sufficiency in spare parts and components. This demand arose due to delays in receiving spares experienced by other countries that have procured Russian military equipment amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Additionally, the deal with Indonesia encountered disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BrahMos Aerospace had assessed the compatibility of the missile with Indonesian warships back in 2018. Besides the BrahMos missile, India has proposed supplying coastal defense radars and marine-grade steel, as well as maintenance services for Russian-made Su-30 fighter jets operated by the Indonesian Air Force. Under former President Joko Widodo, Indonesia enhanced naval cooperation with India, focusing on maritime security in the Indian Ocean.
The BrahMos missile, developed jointly by India and Russia, is a supersonic cruise missile system. The missile is noted for its speed and precision, and its export represents India’s growing role in the international arms market. The negotiations surrounding the missile have been complicated by geopolitical factors, including Russia’s military engagements and technology transfer concerns from Indonesia. Developing defense partnerships, especially in maritime security, has been a priority for both countries, bolstered by strong historical ties and shared strategic interests in the region.
In summary, the agreement between India, Russia, and Indonesia on the BrahMos missile deal marks a significant step in defense collaboration. As negotiations finalize, Indonesia is set to enhance its military capabilities while positioning India as a growing defense exporter. The continued cooperation reflects broader strategic partnerships that prioritize maritime security and regional stability in the Indian Ocean.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
