In another success for India’s defense export efforts, the country has signed a deal with Indonesia to sell the supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles. The deal is valued at 450 million USD (approximately INR 3800 crores), marking a major achievement in defense cooperation between India and Indonesia. India has already supplied BrahMos cruise missiles to the Philippines, and this new deal with Indonesia further reinforces India’s growing role in regional security.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited New Delhi as a special guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations. Following the celebrations, both countries signed a deal aimed primarily at bolstering Indonesia’s defense capabilities. India had signed a similar deal with the Philippines in 2022.

BrahMos missiles will provide deterrence against any attempt to undermine our sovereignty and sovereign rights, especially in the West Philippine Sea.”

Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana

An Indonesian delegation, led by Indonesian Navy Chief Admiral Muhammad Ali, visited the BrahMos Aerospace headquarters in Delhi to understand the complete capabilities of the BrahMos missile.

A high-level delegation led by Admiral Muhammad Ali, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, visited BrahMos Aerospace. They were briefed on the supersonic BrahMos weapon system and its remarkable capabilities.”

BrahMos Aerospace, New Delhi, India

India is also continuing its negotiations with Vietnam for the export of BrahMos cruise missiles in a deal valued at 700 million USD.

Why Indonesia needs BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile?

Indonesia has remained concerned about the slowly deteriorating tensions in the South China Sea and the increased maritime security issues. Indonesia had earlier indicated its intention to procure the BrahMos cruise missile to protect the country’s large coastal area.

According to a simulation, the launch of 24-36 BrahMos cruise missiles by the Philippine Navy could massively damage a Chinese aircraft carrier battle group. Indonesia must have taken these simulations into their analysis.

Indonesia and India had signed “Shared Vision of Maritime Cooperation” in 2018 and have been conducting joint military exercises to strengthen their security cooperations amid regional tensions, particularly an assertive China in the South China Sea.

“To increase cooperation in the defense sector, we have agreed to work together in defense manufacturing and supply chains,”

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, India

India and Indonesia collectively advocate for a full and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, supporting a rules-based order in the zone, which directly opposes China’s approach. Both countries endorse the principles of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which challenges China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea. As members of BRICS, India and Indonesia are further strengthening their diplomatic ties.

What China Says About these BrahMos Cruise Missiles Deals?

China, understandably, criticizes the spread of BrahMos cruise missiles in its periphery as a “potential troublemaker in international security” that can disrupt stability in the South China Sea. China believes that India is misleading China-India relations by securing multiple BrahMos missile deals with countries on China’s periphery, while also challenging Chinese naval strength by bolstering the Indian Navy’s power in the region. Additionally, India is supplementing the navies of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, with whom China has disputes over South China Sea territories.

What is 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)?

The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an international treaty that provides a uniform legal framework for the use of seas and oceans worldwide. Under UNCLOS, coastal countries can claim sovereignty over territories up to 12 nautical miles from their baseline. Additionally, as part of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), countries can claim special rights over marine resources and exploration within 200 nautical miles from the baseline.

Known as the continental shelf, if the land resources within 200 nautical miles extend continuously beyond 200 nautical miles, the coastal country can claim rights over the resources on the extended portion as well.

No coastal country has exclusive rights over the high seas. UNCLOS provides mechanisms to peacefully resolve any disputes between countries on matters related to the seas and oceans. To date, 167 countries and the European Union (a total of 168 parties) have ratified UNCLOS, which was adopted on December 10, 1982, and came into force on November 16, 1994.

What is Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea?

The Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea is a proposed agreement aimed at establishing rules and guidelines to manage and resolve disputes in the South China Sea. This initiative is primarily driven by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, with the goal of promoting peace, stability, and cooperation in the region

“We have the basic negotiations between the ASEAN countries and China, but I think this doesn’t prevent other countries from seeking maritime cooperative activities with each other, because that, too, will help even with China, So, all of these (efforts) could work and be supportive of the negotiations of the Code of Conduct. So, I would not look at things as alternatives to the code” 

DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat held in Langkawi, Malaysia 

“In this regard, Indonesia and India supported the full and effective implementation of the declaration on the conduct of the parties in the South China Sea (COC) in its entirety and look forward to the early conclusion of an effective and substantive code of conduct in the South China Sea that is in accordance with International law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.”

Joint Statement by India & Indonesia in New Delhi on 26.01.2025

In open denial to UNCLOS 1982, China asserts sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, a region rich in hydrocarbons. However, several ASEAN member countries, such as Vietnam, the Philippines, and Brunei, have competing claims to parts of this area. Under this circumstance, it became obvious for Philippines and Indonesia or Vietnam to be inclined to the Indo-Russian BrahMos Cruise Missiles, being exported by India.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has underlined the importance of bolstering Indonesia’s defense capabilities to address regional security gaps. He noted that the BrahMos missile system would profoundly strengthen Indonesia’s maritime security and deterrence capabilities. Indonesian Navy Chief Admiral Muhammad Ali also highlighted the missile’s advanced capabilities and its potential to enhance Indonesia’s defense posture during his visit to the BrahMos Aerospace headquarters.

All About BrahMos Cruise Missile:

1. Fire & Forget Principle
2. Supersonic speed (Mach 2.8) all through the flight, Sea Skimming
3. Range- 800-900 KM (290 KM for Export Variant due to MTCR Regime Compliance)
4. 200 KG Warhead
5. Low radar signature
6. Pinpoint accuracy
7. 2 Stage Propulsion System
8. Solid-propellant rocket for initial acceleration and a liquid-fueled ramjet responsible for the sustained supersonic cruise
9. Air breathed ramjet propulsion

BrahMos cruise missiles possess 32 times the kinetic energy of U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles because they are twice as heavy and four times faster than the Tomahawk.

Why is India Exporting 290 KM Range Variant and not the higher range BrahMos Cruise Missiles?

India is exporting BrahMos cruise missiles to the Philippines and Indonesia, with their range limited to 290 km, despite manufacturing higher-range versions. This is due to India being a signatory of the MTCR regime.

What is MTCR Regime?

The MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime) is a voluntary international treaty of countries that aims to prevent the proliferation of missile technology capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), including nuclear warheads. India signed the treaty in 2016. MTCR restricts export of missile technologies which can reach 300 KM or beyond with a payload of 500 KG or more.

MTCR regime was formed in 1987 by the G7 Countries and currently it consists of 35 member nations.