Earlier this year, India made history by sending several batteries of its powerful BrahMos missile to the Philippines, marking the first time it exported this highly-regarded defense system, co-developed with Russia. Now, an exciting new deal is in the works: Indonesia is looking to purchase the BrahMos missile from India, a move that experts believe could reshape the defense dynamics between these two Asian nations.
This potential deal is a game-changer. Indonesia, with its vast and vulnerable coastline, needs reliable and affordable defense options. The BrahMos missile seems to be the perfect fit, offering high reliability at a reasonable cost. For Indonesia, which is on the rise as a regional power just like India, this collaboration could be the start of a strong military partnership with the world’s largest democracy.
India’s array of defense products suits Indonesia’s strategic vision perfectly. Indonesia wants to rely less on Western-made weapons and is instead seeking partners closer to home. With the BrahMos positioned across large Indonesian islands like Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Sulawesi, the missile would boost Indonesia’s defensive power and help it maintain control over surrounding seas. Known for its ability to fly low and evade radar, the BrahMos would be challenging for enemies to detect, giving Indonesia an edge in protecting its territorial waters.
The BrahMos has a longer range than any anti-ship missiles Indonesia currently uses, some of which max out at 230 km. The BrahMos, however, reaches up to 290 km, making it a powerful tool for deterring threats from further away. This additional range would improve Indonesia’s ability to discourage potential aggressors. Indonesia could persuade India to set up a maintenance facility for the BrahMos on Indonesian soil. This move would be strategic, as it would allow Indonesia’s own defense industry to gain valuable experience in handling advanced missile technology, strengthening its military capabilities even further.
India’s export of defense products has recently surged, surpassing $3 billion last year. This growth in defense exports is not accidental. It’s the result of India’s focused foreign policy aimed at building stronger defense partnerships globally, especially in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The BrahMos is India’s flagship export, and the recent deal with the Philippines opened doors for further sales in the region, with Indonesia now showing strong interest in adding the missile to its naval arsenal.
But the benefits of this deal go beyond missile sales. With each export of the BrahMos, India deepens its defense relationships with buying countries, potentially paving the way for joint production of other defense equipment. This partnership could allow India to promote additional defense products, such as the LCA Tejas fighter jets, air defense systems, warships, and armored vehicles, to Indonesia and other nations.
The BrahMos is not only the world’s fastest cruise missile but also nearly impossible to intercept due to its Mach 3 speed and low-altitude flying ability. This makes it a formidable choice for anti-ship missions, where speed and surprise are critical. For a country like Indonesia, which has limited resources to invest in naval defense, the BrahMos represents an ideal, cost-effective way to strengthen its presence at sea.
In essence, if the deal goes through, Indonesia will not only boost its defensive power but also reinforce its ties with India. This collaboration could mark the start of a new defense era for Indonesia, as it looks to secure its position in the region while benefiting from the expertise and technological support that comes with partnering with India.
