India is on the verge of finalising major defence export agreements with Indonesia and Vietnam for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, with the combined value of the potential contracts estimated at over ₹4,000 crore ($450 million).
According to high-level sources, negotiations with both Southeast Asian nations have concluded, and New Delhi is now awaiting a formal No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from Russia to ink the deals.
The BrahMos missile system is manufactured by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya.
Due to the integration of Russian technology within the weapon system, any export to a third nation requires explicit permission from Moscow.
Recent reports indicate that during a meeting on December 4, 2025, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov provided a verbal assurance to his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, clearing the path for these exports. The formal written certification is now the only remaining procedural step.
Both Jakarta and Hanoi have been engaged in extensive discussions with Indian officials regarding their specific operational requirements.
It is understood that the technical configurations, pricing structures, and training modules have been mutually agreed upon.
The proposed deals are expected to involve shore-based anti-ship variants of the missile, similar to the system successfully exported to the Philippines.
The strategic motivation for these acquisitions is clear. Vietnam views the BrahMos as a critical asset for maintaining a credible sea-denial capability in the South China Sea, while Indonesia seeks to secure its vast archipelagic waters and strategic chokepoints.
The missile’s ability to travel at nearly three times the speed of sound (Mach 2.8) and its high precision make it a formidable deterrent against maritime threats.
India has already demonstrated its capacity to deliver such complex systems on time. The Philippines, which became the first foreign customer for the BrahMos in a $375 million deal signed in 2022, is set to receive its third and final missile battery by the end of 2025.
This successful execution has bolstered confidence in India’s defence manufacturing sector and its ability to provide long-term logistical support to international clients.
Officials suggest that once the Russian paperwork is formally received, the signing of contracts with Indonesia and Vietnam will follow swiftly.
These agreements would not only mark a significant milestone in India’s target to achieve ₹50,000 crore in annual defence exports by 2028-29 but also deepen its strategic defence partnership with key ASEAN nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
