Indonesia, India strengthen defense ties with BrahMos missile deal

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and India took a major step in strengthening their strategic defense partnership by announcing a high-profile procurement agreement for the Indian-made BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Jakarta.

The defense agreement was announced at Jakarta's Merdeka Palace on Tuesday (July 7) in the presence of PM Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

The BrahMos procurement represents a major milestone in Indonesia’s long-standing effort to strengthen its coastal defense capabilities.

While details of the contract's value and delivery schedule have not been disclosed, the agreement transitions years of preliminary talks into an official pact.

In a simultaneous push for aerial modernization, state-owned Indian defense manufacturer Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) inked a cooperation agreement with Indonesia’s Republikorp for the procurement of air-to-air missiles (AAMs).

The two defense agreement formed part of 16 bilateral cooperation documents exchanged between the two Indo-Pacific nations during Modi's state visit.

Speaking at the Merdeka Palace, PM Modi said the agreements reflect a shared geopolitical vision to secure critical maritime security.

"Today we agreed to enhance cooperation in defense exchanges, disaster management and industrial cooperation. The two countries' coast guards will also work together to ensure maritime security in the Indian Ocean," Modi noted.

President Prabowo also stressed the importance of strengthening the Indonesia-India Security Dialogue as both countries face evolving regional security challenges and unconventional threats.

"As the challenges of transnational security issues increase, we are committed to deepening capacity development in new technologies, combating transnational crime, and developing digital infrastructure," Prabowo said.

The finalization of the BrahMos agreement follows years of keen interest from Jakarta.

Ahead of the state visit, Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty said negotiations had reached a "very advanced stage", signaling that an agreement was close.

Chakravorty pointed to India’s successful BrahMos export deal with the Philippines as a blueprint for regional defense cooperation, describing the supersonic cruise missile system as a highly reliable and cost-effective option for Southeast Asian countries seeking to strengthen their maritime deterrence.

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Translator: Genta Tenri Mawangi, Yashinta Difa

Editor: Bayu Prasetyo

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