India, Russia, and Indonesia Finalize BrahMos Missile Deal Pricing

India, Russia, and Indonesia have settled pricing for a $450 million BrahMos missile deal after years of negotiations. The deal, which may be officially announced during Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto’s upcoming visit to New Delhi, highlights Indonesia’s quest for technology transfer to mitigate supply risks. As the second foreign buyer of BrahMos, Indonesia’s agreement underscores India’s growing defense export ambitions.

India, Russia, and Indonesia have finalized pricing for a $450 million deal concerning the supply of BrahMos cruise missiles to the Indonesian armed forces. This agreement comes after over seven years of negotiations between New Delhi and Jakarta, involving Russian state entity Rosoboronexport, which must approve all BrahMos transactions. An official announcement regarding Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto’s upcoming visit to New Delhi in January is anticipated, and there may be concurrent announcements concerning the BrahMos deal.

Despite the agreement, both Indian and Russian sides have formal procedures to complete, and final contract financing is still being negotiated. Thus, the actual execution of the deal could take several additional months. Upon successful finalization, Indonesia will become the second international customer for BrahMos missiles after the Philippines, which secured a $375 million deal for defensive systems.

Indonesia has recently emphasized a need for technology transfer related to the BrahMos missile, seeking to avoid potential shortages of components due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and the effects of the war in Ukraine. The COVID-19 pandemic has also impacted negotiations and logistics surrounding the deal, further complicating the process.

BrahMos Aerospace representatives assessed the integration of missiles into Indonesian naval vessels at the PT PAL shipyard in Surabaya back in 2018. In addition to BrahMos missiles, India has proposed supplying coastal surveillance radars and marine-grade steel to Indonesia, while also offering services for Russian-made Su-30 fighter jets operated by the Indonesian Air Force.

Under prior President Joko Widodo’s direction, Indonesia has enhanced naval collaboration with India through joint military exercises and naval visits as part of a broader maritime security initiative in the Indian Ocean, suggesting that Minister Prabowo is poised to maintain and strengthen military ties with India.

The BrahMos missile, a product of Indo-Russian collaboration, is a significant asset for both India’s defense export ambitions and Indonesia’s military modernization efforts. The agreement with Indonesia follows a precedent set by the Philippines, which obtained BrahMos missiles. This transaction signifies India’s growing role as an arms exporter in Southeast Asia, amidst geopolitical tensions and a focus on enhancing regional security partnerships.

In summary, the agreement between India, Russia, and Indonesia marks a significant advancement in defense cooperation, particularly in missile technology. Delays related to formalities and geopolitical considerations remain, but the potential for Indonesia to become a key foreign customer for BrahMos serves as a cornerstone for India’s defense export strategy. The strategic relationship between India and Indonesia is set to strengthen as they collaborate further on defense capabilities.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com