India-Indonesia $450 Million BrahMos Deal Soon? Rajnath Singh Presents Missile Model To Sjamsoeddin
During the deliberations today, Rajnath Singh and his Indonesian counterpart had a free and frank discussion to further strengthen our defence cooperation. Image courtesy: RNA
India and Indonesia have made significant progress on the proposed $450-million sale of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, with defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin holding wide-ranging talks in New Delhi. According to officials, negotiations are moving in the right direction.
Most procedural steps for India-Indonesia proposed BrahMos missle deal have been completed, pending a final nod from the Russian side. If the deal goes through, Indonesia will become the second foreign customer of the BrahMos system after the Philippines, which signed a $375-million contract in 2022.
During the meeting, Singh also presented a BrahMos model to Sjamsoeddin, a symbolic reaffirmation of the momentum behind the agreement.
Why is Indonesia interested in BrahMos missiles?
Indonesia has shown growing interest in the missile system, which India used effectively during Operation Sindoor in its four-day confrontation with Pakistan in May 2025. With rising tensions in the South China Sea and China’s expanding military footprint, Jakarta is seeking more credible deterrence options.
BrahMos, with its precision strike capability and proven performance, fits directly into Indonesia’s evolving maritime security needs.
How are India and Indonesia strengthening Indo-Pacific cooperation?
The two ministers reiterated the need for a free, open, peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific, anchored in rules-based order and respect for sovereignty. This comes at a time when Beijing is attempting to reinforce its claims and expand influence by building military bases and pressuring regional states.
In a post on X, defence minister Singh said, “Our defence cooperation built on our commitment to maintain regional security has grown manifold during the recent years. During the deliberations today, we had a free and frank discussion to further strengthen our defence cooperation and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in maritime domain awareness, cyber resilience, along with joint operational readiness, and coordination across the Indian Ocean. India had earlier stressed at the ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur that the Indo-Pacific must remain free from coercion.
3rd India-Indonesia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue: What else was discussed?
Sjamsoeddin, who was on a two-day visit to India (November 26–27, 2025), hailed the “longstanding and deep-rooted ties” between the two democracies. He thanked India for its warm hospitality, including during the Republic Day Parade where Indonesian forces participated.
He emphasised that India and Indonesia are maritime neighbours and comprehensive strategic partners, with defence cooperation forming a key pillar of their relationship. The Indonesian minister recalled milestones such as the 2018 Defence Cooperation Agreement in Jakarta, the 2020 Dialogue in Delhi, which focused on industry collaboration and technology transfer.
Both leaders expressed confidence that this year’s dialogue would yield “concrete and practical deliverables.”
How India and Indonesia are expanding defence collaboration?
India and Indonesia reviewed ongoing joint exercises across all three services and agreed to continue and expand officer exchanges, joint training programmes, visits to defence institutions, defence medicine and pharmaceutical cooperation, technology transfer and research partnerships.
India and Indonesia highlighted the progress in joint exercises across land, maritime, and air forces, including Super Garuda Shield, Garuda Shakti, Samudra Shakti, MILAN, and upcoming Air Manoeuvre Exercises. Indonesia also acknowledged India’s expertise in submarine development and supply-chain management, especially the Scorpene-class programme.
In a symbolic gesture, India also announced gifting of horses and a ceremonial carriage from the Army’s Remount Veterinary Corps.
What is driving India and Indonesia’s strategic convergence?
Put in simple words, China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific has accelerated India–Indonesia alignment. With Beijing pushing maritime claims and courting vulnerable coastal states, both democracies are reinforcing strategic cooperation. Senior Indian military leaders, including CDS Gen Anil Chauhan, have visited Indonesia recently to advance interoperability and defence engagement.
Rajnath Singh said both nations share civilisational links, pluralistic values, and a common vision for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The meeting highlighted the growing tempo of engagement under India’s Act East Policy and Indonesia’s strategic priorities.
Additionally, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a just and lasting peace in Palestine, and acknowledged opportunities for cooperation in humanitarian assistance, post conflict reconstruction, and multilateral peace efforts. Indonesia reaffirmed its readiness to contribute peacekeeping personnel to Gaza under UN Mandate.
