India will supply BrahMos and Astra missiles to Indonesia, the two countries confirmed on Tuesday.
The agreement, which expands defence cooperation between the two countries, was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jakarta.
This came months after the Indonesian defence ministry told Reuters in March that it had entered an agreement with India to buy the BrahMos systems.
The details of the BrahMos and Astra deals were not immediately clear.
The BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia. Indonesia will become the third foreign operator of the missile system after the Philippines and Vietnam.
Astra is a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile designed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory. The Indian military is currently the lone user of the missile system.
On Tuesday, the two countries also agreed to enhance real-time maritime information sharing and strengthen maritime security cooperation.
The distance between the southernmost point of India in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Indonesia is about 150 km. India and Indonesia’s maritime boundary is at the northern opening of the strategic Strait of Malacca. More than 20% of global trade passes through the strait.
At a press briefing alongside Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Modi said that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership the two countries began in 2018 was “reaching new heights today”.
India and Indonesia also signed agreements to improve cooperation in the field of minerals and telecommunication technologies.
The agreement will further strengthen the supply chain in the critical minerals and steel sectors, Modi said.
An agreement was also signed between India’s Election Commission and the General Elections Commission of Indonesia to facilitate the sharing of best practices and experiences.
Modi was conferred with Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia, the country’s highest medal of honour.
It was awarded to recognise Modi’s “leadership in strengthening India-Indonesia friendship and furthering unity, continuity and prosperity” of the South East Asian nation, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said.
Written by Nachiket Deuskar. Edited by Neerad Pandharipande.
You’ve read Scroll.
Now help sustain it
Scroll is funded by readers, not corporate owners. If you believe our work matters, support our newsroom. Become a member today!
We’re not driven by clicks or corporate interests – just honest, independent reporting. Keep us going. Support Scroll today!