Indonesia Joins the Ranks: Acquires BrahMos Missile System from India

Indonesia has officially agreed to purchase the BrahMos missile system from India, a move aimed at enhancing its military capabilities, particularly in maritime defense. This agreement follows extensive negotiations and makes Indonesia the second international buyer of the supersonic cruise missile, after the Philippines. The BrahMos missile, developed jointly by India and Russia, is known for its versatility and effectiveness, having been successfully deployed in various military operations. This acquisition is part of Indonesia's broader strategy to modernize its defense forces and strengthen its military hardware.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 9, 2026, 21:16 IST

Indonesia's Strategic Defense Deal with India

New Delhi: Indonesia has officially reached an agreement with India to procure the BrahMos missile system, as confirmed by Rico Ricardo Sirait, spokesperson for the Indonesian Defence Ministry, on Monday.

According to Rico, this deal is a significant step in Indonesia's efforts to modernize its military equipment and enhance its defense capabilities, particularly in maritime operations.

The BrahMos missile, a joint venture between India and Russia, has been in negotiations with Indonesia for some time. This agreement follows extensive discussions that intensified during high-level meetings, including the India-Indonesia Defence Ministers' Dialogue held in 2025.

With this deal, Jakarta becomes the second international purchaser of the supersonic cruise missile, following the Philippines. Earlier in January 2022, Manila secured a $375 million contract for three shore-based anti-ship BrahMos batteries, with the first deliveries expected in 2024. The military leadership in the Philippines has hailed the system as transformative and is considering further acquisitions. This deal has also sparked increased interest in the missile across the region.

BrahMos manufactures supersonic cruise missiles capable of being launched from various platforms, including submarines, ships, aircraft, and land-based systems. It is a crucial asset for the Indian armed forces, utilized by the army, navy, and air force.

The missile demonstrated its effectiveness during the four-day Operation Sindoor, where it was instrumental in targeting Pakistani air bases and military infrastructure.

Following its success in Operation Sindoor, the Defence Ministry approved a substantial order for additional BrahMos systems for the Indian Navy's warships, as well as ground- and air-launched variants for the Indian Air Force.

The Indian Navy intends to equip its Veer-class warships with the BrahMos missile, while the Air Force is integrating it with its Su-30MKI fleet.

Equipped with sophisticated guidance and control systems, the missile boasts high-velocity flight stability and exceptional terminal accuracy.