India, Russia, and Indonesia have reached an agreement on pricing for the supply of BrahMos cruise missiles, valued at $450 million. Negotiations have spanned over seven years, and while a deal is anticipated, formal procedures remain before finalization. Indonesia’s insistence on technology transfer highlights concerns over reliance on external supply chains.
India, Russia, and Indonesia have finalized the pricing for a deal involving the supply of BrahMos cruise missiles to the Indonesian armed forces. This agreement comes ahead of President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to New Delhi for India’s Republic Day celebrations. The negotiations, which have been in progress for over seven years, involve Rosoboronexport, the Russian state arms export agency, as it is crucial for sanctioning all BrahMos arrangements. The agreed deal is reportedly valued at $450 million.
While the pricing has been agreed upon, both Indian and Russian sides must still complete several formal procedures and finalize the financing for the contract. As a result, the actual conclusion of the deal could still be several months away. If finalized, Indonesia would emerge as the second international client of the BrahMos missile, following the Philippines’ recent contract for three missile batteries worth $375 million.
Indonesia has expressed a demand for technology transfer related to the missile system to prevent possible future shortages of spare parts, especially in the context of delays experienced by other nations that have acquired Russian military equipment due to ongoing geopolitical tensions. This deal has also faced setbacks owing to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2018, BrahMos Aerospace officials inspected the PT PAL shipyard in Surabaya to evaluate the integration of the BrahMos missile onto Indonesian naval vessels. Besides this missile deal, India has offered Indonesia coastal defense radars and marine-grade steel, along with maintenance support for Indonesian Air Force’s Russian-made Su-30 jets. There have been ongoing military and maritime collaborations between the two nations, particularly during the administration of former President Joko Widodo, emphasized by joint exercises aimed at strengthening maritime security in the Indian Ocean.
The BrahMos cruise missile is an Indo-Russian developed weapon system that signifies a major collaboration in defense technology. Over the past several years, India has sought to expand its defense exports to various countries, with Indonesia being a focal point in Southeast Asia. The importance of establishing a strong defense partnership is underscored by Indonesia’s demand for technological independence in light of global supply challenges and geopolitical tensions.
In conclusion, the agreement on pricing for the BrahMos missile deal marks a significant step in India-Indonesia defense relations. With ongoing negotiations still required for finalization, the increasing cooperation between these nations emphasizes mutual interests in enhancing maritime security and technical collaboration. The potential for Indonesia to become the second international purchaser of the BrahMos missile broadens India’s defense export landscape.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
