Deal! Prabowo and Modi Agree, Indonesia Signs BrahMos Supersonic Missile Contract
The meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi resulted in 16 cooperative agreements between the two countries, formalised through treaties and memoranda of understanding. In the security sector, three agreements were signed, covering maritime security and a cooperation agreement for the BrahMos missile defence system.
During a joint press statement, Prabowo affirmed a commitment to strengthening cooperation in counter-terrorism. The two countries also agreed to enhance security cooperation through the third Indonesia-India Security Dialogue. Prabowo also stressed that with the increasing issue of transnational security, his side is committed to deepening capacity-building cooperation in new technologies, combating transnational crime, and developing digital infrastructure.
Although the details of defence cooperation between the two countries were not specified, several memoranda of understanding were signed in the defence field, including an MoU on maritime safety and security cooperation, the signing of a BrahMos missile defence system contract between BrahMos and the Ministry of Defence, and an air-to-air missile cooperation agreement between Bharat Dynamics and Republic Corp.
On the same occasion, PM Modi also spoke about the increase in security and defence cooperation between the two countries. He stated that this cooperation is based on growing trust between the two nations. "The increasing trust between the two countries is strongly reflected in security and defence cooperation, as well as maritime cooperation. Today we agreed to enhance cooperation in defence exchanges, disaster management, and industrial cooperation," Modi said.
The two countries will also work together to ensure maritime security in the Indian Ocean, including cooperation in the blue economy, port development, and maritime trade.
Previously, a source from the Indian government said the two countries were ready to sign an agreement for the purchase of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Astra air-to-air missiles. The transaction value is estimated to reach around US$630 million, or approximately Rp11 trillion, and was one of the main agendas during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Jakarta.
The plan to procure BrahMos was actually announced by Indonesia last March. At that time, the government stated it had reached an agreement with India to purchase the BrahMos system, which is jointly owned by the governments of India and Russia. Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence told Reuters at the time that negotiations had entered an advanced stage, with the contract value estimated to be between US$200 million and US$350 million. International interest in the BrahMos missile has increased since the four-day conflict between India and Pakistan last year, during which India used the BrahMos system in combat operations for the first time.