With a total value of more than ₹4,000 crore, or roughly $450 million, India has made great progress in completing export agreements for BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Vietnam and Indonesia.
During a high-level discussion between Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov on December 4, Russia, as the joint developer through BrahMos Aerospace, gave verbal assurances. Moscow is currently awaiting a formal no-objection certificate.
In light of common worries about Chinese encroachment in the South China Sea, this development puts Vietnam and Indonesia in a position to become the next ASEAN countries after the Philippines to obtain these precision-strike weapons, strengthening regional maritime security.
The BrahMos missile is a powerful air-breathing supersonic cruise missile appropriate for anti-ship and land-attack roles, operating at speeds close to Mach 2.8, or nearly three times the speed of sound.
After India joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016, its range increased from its original 290 km, which was restricted by MTCR regulations, to 450 km, allowing for deeper strikes.
During Operation Sindoor in May, India proved its strength by launching BrahMos from Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft for precise strikes deep into Pakistan without crossing the border, highlighting its importance as a top conventional weapon for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
With a $375 million contract for three coastal anti-ship batteries inked in January 2022, the Philippines led the way in BrahMos exports. The second set of batteries was delivered in April 2025, and talks are currently underway for up to nine more systems.
In line with similar goals for Vietnam and Indonesia, Manila’s acquisition strengthens its defenses against intensifying conflicts with Beijing. According to sources, the increasing demand in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, particularly from Central Asia, South America, and the Middle East, may prompt both new purchasers to pursue follow-on orders.
BrahMos has been purchased domestically by India for about ₹60,000 crore, solidifying its position as a key component of the country’s defense capabilities under the joint venture.
In the future, tests of modified ramjet engines, larger fuel tanks, and improved navigation systems using domestic high-energy-density fuel will facilitate the introduction of an extended-range 800 km model in 2028.
These developments, like as the BrahMos-LR, which underwent successful testing in early 2025, put India in a position to provide export partners with even more potent systems.
In addition to BrahMos, India is marketing Pinaka multi-barrel rocket systems to Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, and Brazil, as well as domestic Akash air defense systems that can intercept aircraft, drones, and subsonic cruise missiles at a distance of 25 kilometers. One notable customer is Armenia, which has been receiving 155 mm artillery, Pinaka launchers since November 2024, and Akash systems in a deal worth ₹6,000 crore. These initiatives highlight India’s drive for diversification in friendly countries under strategic strain.
In FY 2024–2025, India’s defense exports to over 100 countries, including the USA, France, and Armenia, hit a record ₹23,622 crore (about $2.76 billion).
Even though India is still one of the top importers of weapons worldwide, this represents a 12% year-over-year gain and a 31-fold increase over the previous ten years. The increase is in line with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ strategy, which aims to use public-private partnerships to generate ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029.
By promoting strategic alliances and thwarting regional threats, these BrahMos agreements and wider offers demonstrate India’s growing prominence in the world of defense production.
In addition to increasing cash, a successful completion of the agreements would improve cooperation among ASEAN allies addressing issues in the South China Sea. India’s export portfolio keeps growing as testing on next-generation variations advance, fusing domestic innovation with Indo-Russian cooperation.
