Indonesia is seeking to expand its planned purchase of India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, with negotiations for additional coastal defence batteries expected to be a key agenda item during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day visit to the country starting July 6.
According to sources, Jakarta has expressed interest in acquiring more than the single BrahMos battery outlined in the preliminary procurement framework agreed upon in March. The proposed expansion highlights Indonesia’s efforts to strengthen its maritime deterrence capabilities amid evolving security challenges across the Indo-Pacific region.
A BrahMos coastal defence battery includes mobile launchers, surveillance and fire-control radars, command-and-control systems, and missiles capable of detecting, tracking, and engaging hostile naval targets at extended ranges.
The two countries first formally explored the potential sale during the Defence Cooperation Dialogue held in New Delhi in November last year, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral defence ties. Indonesia’s Defence Ministry later confirmed that the BrahMos acquisition is part of its broader military modernization initiative aimed at reinforcing maritime security.
Sources indicate that both governments are developing a phased procurement plan that could eventually see Indonesia deploy multiple BrahMos coastal defence batteries. Any export variant will remain compliant with India’s Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) obligations, limiting the missile’s range to approximately 290 kilometers.
In addition to the missile deal, India has proposed creating a Joint Defence Industry Cooperation Committee to enhance collaboration in defence manufacturing, technology transfer, research and development, and industrial partnerships. Indonesia is also reportedly evaluating financing options through a domestic bank to support the phased acquisition.
For India, a larger BrahMos order would further strengthen its defence export ambitions following the US$375 million contract signed with the Philippines in 2022, with deliveries beginning in 2024. Vietnam has also been linked to potential BrahMos acquisitions, although official confirmation remains limited. These developments are positioning BrahMos as one of Southeast Asia’s leading supersonic anti-ship missile systems.
While Indonesia is not a claimant in the South China Sea disputes, it continues to safeguard its maritime interests around the Natuna Islands, where Chinese activities have occasionally raised tensions. Expanding its long-range coastal defence capabilities would significantly enhance Jakarta’s ability to protect its territorial waters. The growing international demand for BrahMos also reinforces India’s role as an emerging defence exporter and strategic security partner in the Indo-Pacific.
