India, Russia, and Indonesia have finalized the pricing for a $450 million BrahMos missile deal as Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto prepares for a visit to New Delhi. This agreement culminates over seven years of negotiations, with technology transfer requests from Indonesia to ensure support for spare parts amidst global disruptions. The deal marks Indonesia as the second overseas customer for the BrahMos system, following the Philippines.
India, Russia, and Indonesia have finalized pricing for the BrahMos cruise missile deal slated for supply to the Indonesian armed forces, ahead of President Prabowo Subianto’s upcoming visit to New Delhi for the Republic Day celebrations. This agreement follows over seven years of negotiations, with the deal valued at approximately $450 million, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The state organization for weapons export, Rosoboronexport, has been instrumental in these negotiations, as Moscow needs to approve all BrahMos contracts.
An official announcement from the Indian government regarding President Prabowo’s visit is anticipated on Thursday, with a potential formal declaration about the BrahMos agreement during his trip. However, there are still several formalities that the Indian and Russian parties must complete, and discussions about financing for the contract remain ongoing. Consequently, the finalization of the deal could be several months away.
Should the agreement be completed, Indonesia will become the second international buyer of the BrahMos missile, a product of the Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace. Previously, the Philippines entered into a $375 million contract for three batteries of these missiles, marking a significant milestone in India’s defense export ambitions.
Indonesia has requested technology transfers related to the BrahMos missile to mitigate any potential shortages in spare parts—a concern heightened by delays experienced by other nations acquiring Russian military equipment amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Covid-19 pandemic has further complicated negotiations surrounding this proposed deal.
In 2018, BrahMos Aerospace evaluated fitting the missile onto Indonesian warships at PT PAL shipyard in Surabaya. Alongside the BrahMos missiles, India has also proposed supplying coastal defense radars and marine-grade steel to Indonesia, as well as servicing Indonesian Air Force’s Russian-made Su-30 combat aircraft. Under former President Joko Widodo, Indonesia enhanced naval cooperation with India, prioritizing maritime security initiatives in the Indian Ocean region. With President Prabowo’s background in the military, a continuation of this defense collaboration is likely.
The discussions surrounding the BrahMos missile deal date back over seven years, highlighting the complex nature of international defense contracts. This Indo-Russian missile system has gained significant traction due to its advanced technology and performance capabilities. The need for a technology transfer by Indonesia stems from concerns related to supply chain stability for military equipment, especially in light of unforeseen geopolitical circumstances affecting Russian exports. The deal is significant not only for military cooperation between India and Indonesia but also for India’s broader strategy to establish itself as a key defense supplier in the international arena.
The BrahMos missile deal represents a critical advancement in defense relations among India, Russia, and Indonesia, showcasing India’s ambition to expand its defense export profile. Despite some pending negotiations and formalities, this agreement could pave the way for enhanced military cooperation between Indonesia and India. Furthermore, the deal underscores Indonesia’s strategic move to strengthen its maritime capability and security, particularly in the context of regional threats and challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
