India says BrahMos missile deal talks with Indonesia still ongoing

India’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Sandeep Chakravorty, has confirmed that discussions regarding cooperation on the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system are still ongoing. Speaking at a press briefing in Jakarta on Friday, the diplomat noted that the missile system is both affordable and reliable, making it a suitable acquisition for Indonesia. He added that India has already concluded a similar deal for the BrahMos system with the Philippines.

Chakravorty emphasised that defence cooperation extends beyond the mere purchase of weaponry, focusing also on strengthening the defence industry and achieving national self-reliance. He stated that India, having evolved into an exporter of defence equipment, is keen to share its experience with Indonesia as it seeks to bolster its own defence industry.

Beyond defence, the two nations are also set to discuss cooperation in food security, energy security, and downstream industrial development. Indonesia’s Finance Ministry has previously indicated that the budget for procuring the BrahMos system has been integrated into the 2026 fiscal framework, ensuring the acquisition will not disrupt the state’s financial position. The potential deal was initially explored during a visit by India’s Chief of Naval Staff to Jakarta in December 2024.