India and Indonesia have significantly strengthened their strategic partnership after signing landmark defence agreements that include the supply of India’s indigenously developed BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles. The agreements were finalized during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jakarta, marking one of the biggest milestones in bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations.
Under the agreement, Indonesia will become the third Southeast Asian nation to acquire the BrahMos missile system, following the Philippines and Vietnam. Indonesia will also become the first foreign customer for India’s Astra air-to-air missile, a major boost for India’s growing defence exports and its “Make in India” initiative.
The BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, is among the world’s fastest operational supersonic cruise missiles and can be launched from land, sea, and air platforms. The Astra missile, developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will reportedly be integrated with Indonesia’s Russian-made Sukhoi fighter aircraft, enhancing the country’s aerial combat capabilities.
Beyond defence, both countries signed several agreements covering maritime security, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, digital payments, and space cooperation. India and Indonesia also reaffirmed their commitment to jointly develop the strategically located Sabang Port, near the Strait of Malacca, a vital global maritime trade route.
The missile agreements are estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars and include provisions for training, maintenance, infrastructure development, and long-term logistical support. Defence experts say the deal strengthens India’s position as a reliable defence exporter while reinforcing strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region amid evolving regional security challenges.
Prime Minister Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto described the agreements as the beginning of a “golden chapter” in bilateral relations. The expanded defence partnership is expected to enhance regional stability, improve interoperability between the two militaries, and deepen cooperation across multiple strategic sectors in the years ahead.
