India Finalizes BrahMos Deal with Vietnam, Nears Agreement with Indonesia

India has finalized a BrahMos missile agreement with Vietnam and is close to finalizing a similar deal with Indonesia. These developments signify New Delhi's expanding defense ties in Southeast Asia amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

India has reportedly finalized a BrahMos missile agreement with Vietnam, while an accord with Indonesia is nearing completion. This was disclosed by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

The Philippines became the first foreign country to acquire the BrahMos missile system from India, securing a deal worth nearly USD 375 million in 2022. Indonesia had earlier confirmed its intent to procure the system from India.

These developments unfold as Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam and Indonesia, seek to bolster their defense capabilities amid regional tensions, particularly with overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea. India aims to build resilient supply chains and defense partnerships within Asia and beyond, highlighting the strategy of sharing technology with trusted allies.

Singh emphasized India’s commitment to advancing defense collaborations with ASEAN members, noting major reforms in defense production and exports over the past decade. He also pointed out that government-owned firms contribute substantially to India's defense manufacturing capabilities.