India, Russia, and Indonesia Finalize BrahMos Missile Pricing Agreement
India, Russia, and Indonesia have agreed on a $450 million deal for BrahMos cruise missiles. President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to New Delhi coincides with this agreement, marking a significant step in bilateral defense relations. The deal has been years in the making, reflecting Indonesia’s interest in acquiring advanced military technology and addressing supply concerns affected by geopolitical tensions.
India, Russia, and Indonesia have reached an agreement on pricing for the supply of BrahMos cruise missiles. This decision comes ahead of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to New Delhi for Republic Day celebrations. Negotiations for this deal have been ongoing for over seven years, involving Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state organization for weapons exports, which is necessary for finalizing any BrahMos contracts. The deal, valued at $450 million, has been confirmed by sources familiar with the discussions.
The Indian government is set to officially announce President Prabowo’s visit on Thursday, January 26, and may also disclose details regarding the BrahMos missile deal during his trip. Although the agreement is in place, several formalities remain for both Indian and Russian stakeholders, and financing is still being arranged. Consequently, the finalization of the deal may take additional months.
Upon completion of this deal, Indonesia will become the second international buyer of the BrahMos missile, which is produced by the Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace. The Philippines has already signed a $375 million contract for three batteries of the missile, bolstering India’s defense exports.
Indonesia has previously emphasized the need for technology transfer related to the missile to avoid delays in obtaining spare parts, an issue raised by other nations due to Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The negotiations have also faced interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2018, a team from BrahMos Aerospace conducted a visit to PT PAL shipyard in Surabaya to investigate the integration of the missile on Indonesian naval vessels. Besides BrahMos, India has extended offers to supply coastal defense radars and marine-grade steel, as well as servicing Russian-made Su-30 fighter jets used by the Indonesian Air Force.
Under former President Joko Widodo, Indonesia significantly enhanced naval collaboration with India, including joint maritime exercises and port visits. President Prabowo, a former army general, is expected to continue advancing military and maritime security partnerships with India.
The BrahMos missile is a product of collaboration between India and Russia, developed specifically for export to enhance defense capabilities in various nations. The agreement between these three countries reflects India’s growing ties in defense manufacturing and exportation, particularly in Southeast Asia, a region of increasing strategic significance. Over seven years of negotiations underscore the complexities involved in such multinational defense deals, influenced by geopolitical factors and the need for technology transfer. The focus on maritime security in the Indian Ocean further adds to the relevance of these transactions.
In conclusion, the agreement on the BrahMos missile pricing marks a significant development in international defense collaboration among India, Russia, and Indonesia. As Indonesia prepares to become a foreign customer of the BrahMos missile system, its commitment to enhancing military capabilities reflects broader strategic interests in the region. Continued negotiations and cooperation in defense technology between these nations point toward a strengthened partnership in addressing regional security challenges.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
Post Comment