JAKARTA: India and Indonesia have signed an agreement related to the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, marking another step in expanding defense cooperation between the two countries.
According to Reuters, the agreement was announced by the Indonesian Presidential Palace following talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during Modi’s two-day visit to Indonesia.
Defence Agreement Signed
An official statement said that BrahMos Aerospace and Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence signed an agreement concerning the BrahMos missile defence system. However, the governments did not disclose financial terms or other details of the deal.
Reuters reported that, in addition to the BrahMos cruise missile system, India is also expected to supply Astra air-to-air missiles to Indonesia.
In 2023, officials from BrahMos Aerospace had stated that negotiations were underway with Indonesia for a potential deal valued between $200 million and $350 million. India has previously concluded BrahMos export agreements with the Philippines and Vietnam.
Additional Defence Cooperation
The report also said that Indonesia’s defence company Republikorp and India’s Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) signed a separate agreement concerning air-to-air missile systems, further strengthening bilateral defence collaboration.
Economic and Industrial Agreements
Alongside defence cooperation, the two countries signed several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening supply chains in key sectors, including:
- Critical minerals
- Steel
- Agriculture
In addition, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and Indonesia’s Krakatau Steel agreed to establish a joint venture to manufacture stainless steel slabs in Indonesia.
Leaders Highlight Strategic Partnership
President Prabowo Subianto described India and Indonesia as two of the world’s largest democracies, saying that closer cooperation between the two countries would benefit the broader Indo-Pacific region.
He added that both governments would accelerate negotiations on a preferential trade agreement to deepen economic ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India and Indonesia would continue working together to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean, emphasizing the importance of regional stability and cooperation.
No Direct Mention in Joint Statements
Although the Indonesian Presidential Palace announced the defence agreement, Reuters noted that the two leaders did not explicitly mention the BrahMos missile deal in their joint public statements following the meeting.
The agreement nevertheless reflects the growing strategic and defence relationship between India and Indonesia, as both countries seek closer cooperation in security, trade, manufacturing, and regional maritime affairs.
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