India, Russia, and Indonesia Finalize BrahMos Missile Pricing Agreement
India, Russia, and Indonesia have finalized the pricing for a $450 million BrahMos cruise missile deal, with significant negotiations ongoing for over seven years. Indonesia seeks technology transfer to ensure supply chain security. The agreement aligns with Indonesia’s military enhancement strategy amidst regional security concerns and is expected to be formalized during President Prabowo’s visit to India for Republic Day.
India, Russia, and Indonesia have reached an agreement on the pricing of a deal to supply BrahMos cruise missiles to the Indonesian military, in anticipation of President Prabowo Subianto’s upcoming visit to New Delhi for Republic Day celebrations. This negotiation has been ongoing for over seven years, with Rosoboronexport participating to facilitate Russian involvement in the sale, which is valued at $450 million.
The Indian government is expected to announce Prabowo’s visit and may use the occasion to make a formal statement regarding the BrahMos deal. Although progress has been made, both India and Russia still need to finalize several procedures related to the contract, including financing, indicating that the finalization may take several months.
If concluded, this contract would make Indonesia the second international buyer of BrahMos missiles, following a previous deal with the Philippines valued at $375 million. The BrahMos cruise missile, developed as a partnership between India and Russia, is named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, marking a significant step forward in India’s defense export ambitions.
Indonesia has requested technology transfer related to the BrahMos system to avert shortages of spare parts, a concern amplified by delays faced by other nations procuring Russian military equipment. The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted the negotiations, further complicating the deal’s trajectory.
In a related context, a BrahMos Aerospace team previously assessed the potential installation of missiles on Indonesian warships at the PT PAL shipyard in Surabaya. Besides the BrahMos, India has proposed supplying coastal defense radars and marine-grade steel to further strengthen defense ties, alongside servicing the Indonesian Air Force’s Russian-made Su-30 jets.
Under former President Joko Widodo, Indonesia enhanced its naval collaboration with India, focusing on maritime security in the Indian Ocean. Prabowo, having served as a special forces general, is likely to continue advancing military and maritime security cooperation with India.
The BrahMos missile is a supersonic cruise missile developed through a joint venture between India and Russia. This cooperation has strengthened defense relations between the two nations and opened markets in Southeast Asia. Indonesia has shown a keen interest in the BrahMos system, reflecting its commitment to enhancing military capabilities amid regional security challenges. Additionally, the ongoing geopolitical dynamics, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, have influenced procurement processes in various countries, prompting Indonesia to seek technology transfers to mitigate potential supply chain issues.
The agreement between India, Russia, and Indonesia concerning the BrahMos missile deal marks a significant advancement in defense cooperation. As nations navigate the evolving security landscape, Indonesia’s acceptance of the missile indicates a strategic partnership with India and a commitment to bolstering its military capabilities. With the finalization procedures still underway, both nations remain optimistic about the timely completion of the agreement by the upcoming Republic Day celebrations.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
