Missile deals, port project mark Modi's Indonesia visit

India's defence and maritime cooperation featured prominently during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia on 7-8 July, with New Delhi and Jakarta signing agreements on missile cooperation and discussing maritime infrastructure.

The main outcome of the visit was the signing of two cooperation agreements covering India's export of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, jointly developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM), and beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles to Indonesia.

India's official "List of Outcomes" from Modi's visit categorised both the BrahMos and air-to-air missile agreements as "Cooperation Agreements".

The deals come as India expands defence cooperation with ASEAN countries through exports of the BrahMos missile system.

BrahMos travels at speeds of Mach 2.8-3.0, nearly three times the speed of sound. India used the missile during its four-day military confrontation with Pakistan in May last year, targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, as well as military air bases and other assets.

According to Indian officials, more than 15 countries have expressed interest in procuring the missile as they seek alternatives to Western-made defence systems.

In January 2022, India's BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) signed a nearly $375 million agreement with the Philippine Department of National Defence to export a multi-battery shore-based anti-ship missile system. The system is now operational with the Philippine Marine Corps.

Vietnam later signed a deal, reportedly worth about $629 million, to procure the naval variant of the BrahMos missile. The agreement includes missiles, shore-based coastal defence batteries, training and logistical support.

During Modi's visit, BAPL and Indonesia's Ministry of Defence signed an agreement for the procurement of land and naval variants of the BrahMos missile. Indian media reports estimate the deal to be worth between $200 million and $450 million, including one battery comprising launchers, radars, and missiles.

Indonesia is procuring the missile to strengthen maritime security across the country's archipelago, which includes the Strait of Malacca, one of the world's busiest shipping routes.

Speaking at a media briefing on 8 July, Rudrendra Tandon, India's secretary (east) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said New Delhi and Jakarta had agreed to expand defence cooperation under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

"The BrahMos and the air-to-air missiles are the areas that are new in our collaboration," Tandon said, adding that the cooperation would help both countries develop indigenous defence capabilities and strengthen self-reliance.

Indian media reports also said the United Arab Emirates is in talks with India to procure the BrahMos missile and the indigenous Akashteer air defence system, which integrates radars and sensors to respond to aerial threats.

According to the reports, India is also discussing potential defence exports with Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore.

Several ASEAN countries have territorial disputes with China, and the acquisition of the BrahMos missile could strengthen their deterrence capabilities. Outside Southeast Asia, the missile has also drawn interest from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.

Maritime cooperation also featured during the visit.

India expressed interest in developing a deep-sea port at Sabang on Weh Island, near the Strait of Malacca.

The proposed port is about 100 miles from India's planned Great Nicobar transhipment port in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The project is expected to have commercial and strategic significance in the Indo-Pacific.

About 80% of China's oil imports and a substantial share of its trade pass through the Strait of Malacca.