India will supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Astra air-to-air missiles to Indonesia under a new defence agreement, an Indian government official said on Tuesday. The announcement came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to Jakarta. Moreover, the deal is expected to strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries and expand India’s military exports.
Defence Partnership Gains Momentum
Indian sources said the agreement is worth about 630 million dollars and could be signed during Modi’s visit. Indonesia will become the third country to purchase BrahMos missiles, which are produced by BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited.
The BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, ranks among the world’s fastest cruise missiles. Furthermore, it can be launched from land, sea, and air platforms. Meanwhile, the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile can be integrated with the Indonesian Air Force’s Russian-made Sukhoi fighter aircraft.
The Indian government has not officially commented on the agreement. Similarly, the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi has not issued a statement.
Strategic Cooperation Expands in Indo-Pacific
Indonesia announced in March that it had reached an agreement with India to procure the BrahMos missile system. At that time, Indonesian officials estimated the deal’s value at between 200 million and 350 million dollars. However, the latest agreement is expected to be significantly larger.
India has already signed BrahMos export agreements with Vietnam and the Philippines. In addition, several other countries, including the United Arab Emirates, have expressed interest in the missile system.
During the visit, Modi is expected to hold talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on maritime security, defence industry cooperation, regional connectivity, and Indo-Pacific strategy. Officials said discussions will also cover a phased acquisition plan, including missile systems, infrastructure, operator training, maintenance services, and technical support for long-term deployment.
Bilateral trade between India and Indonesia reached 28.15 billion dollars during the 2024-25 fiscal year, making Indonesia India’s second-largest trading partner within ASEAN.
