India Confirms BrahMos Missile Deal with Vietnam, Indonesia Next in Line
Singapore/New Delhi: In a landmark development for India's defence export ambitions, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has officially confirmed that India has signed a deal to supply the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to Vietnam, while a similar agreement with Indonesia is in the "final stages."
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier defence forum, in Singapore. Responding to a question from a Vietnamese delegate, Singh stated, "My understanding is that with both Indonesia and Vietnam, the deals are in the final stages. In fact, for Vietnam, I understand that it has already been signed — probably not publicly announced — but it's already been signed."
Vietnam Deal Details
While the financial specifics remain undisclosed officially, reports suggest the Vietnam agreement is valued at approximately ₹5,800 crore (roughly $629 million) . The package is understood to include coastal defence missile batteries, an initial batch of missiles, comprehensive training, and long-term logistics support. Hanoi has also reportedly expressed interest in acquiring air-launched variants of the missile system in the future.
The deal follows Vietnamese President To Lam's state visit to India earlier this month, during which both nations reviewed their 'Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.'
Indonesia Negotiations Advancing
Regarding Indonesia, Singh confirmed that negotiations are in their concluding phase. A Joint Defence Industry Cooperation Committee has been established between New Delhi and Jakarta, covering areas including technology transfer and supply-chain integration. Reports indicate the potential deal with Indonesia could be valued between $200 million and $350 million.
India's Growing Defence Export Footprint
The Philippines remains the first foreign buyer of the BrahMos missile system, having signed a $375 million contract in 2022. The first batch of missiles was delivered in 2024, followed by a second batch in April 2025.
Singh emphasized that India is willing to share advanced defence technology only with "friendly foreign countries." He told delegates, "Obviously, you share technology with people you trust."
Strategic Significance
Developed jointly by India and Russia, the BrahMos missile is one of the world's fastest operational cruise missiles, capable of traveling at nearly Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound). It can be launched from land, sea, and air platforms, offering significant operational flexibility.
These deals align with India's broader strategic objective of expanding defence ties with ASEAN nations amid persistent tensions in the South China Sea, where Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines have overlapping maritime disputes with China.
India has set an ambitious target of achieving ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029-30, and these BrahMos agreements represent a significant step toward that goal
