January 27, 2025: Indonesia is on the verge of finalising a USD 450 million deal for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, marking a significant milestone in India-Indonesia defence cooperation. This development comes after a high-level visit to India by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who was the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day Parade 2025, and Admiral Muhammad Ali, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy.

Admiral Muhammad Ali, during his visit, engaged in crucial bilateral discussions with Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff of India. The talks revolved around enhancing maritime collaboration, conducting joint naval exercises like Exercise Samudra Shakti, and addressing shared concerns, including illegal activities in the Indian Ocean Region.

As part of his itinerary, Admiral Ali visited key maritime facilities such as the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) and the Weapons and Electronics Systems and Engineering Establishment (WESEE). However, his most noteworthy visit was to BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL), where he explored avenues for bolstering bilateral defence cooperation and discussed the advanced capabilities of the BrahMos missile system.

The negotiations for the BrahMos missile system gained momentum during President Subianto’s interaction with top officials from BrahMos Aerospace at a banquet hosted by Indian President Droupadi Murmu on January 26.

Sources indicate that discussions over the BrahMos deal, which had been ongoing for two years, are now in the final stages. Once concluded, this agreement will position Indonesia as a key regional partner in India’s efforts to strengthen defence and security ties in Southeast Asia.

The BrahMos missile system, renowned for its precision and supersonic speed, is expected to significantly enhance Indonesia’s defence capabilities. This deal reflects the growing strategic partnership between the two maritime nations, underlining their shared commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.