Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh stated on Saturday (Might 30, 2026) {that a} BrahMos missile cope with Vietnam had already been signed, whereas an analogous pact involving Indonesia was within the closing phases.
Mr. Singh is in Singapore to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue, and his feedback had been in response to a query on potential consumers of the missile system.
“My understanding is that with each Indonesia and with Vietnam, the deal is within the closing phases that actually, for Vietnam, I perceive that it has already been signed, in all probability not publicly introduced, nevertheless it’s already been signed,” Mr. Singh stated.
The Philippines, which signed a contract price almost $375 million in 2022, was the primary overseas purchaser of the BrahMos missile system from India.
Indonesia stated in March that it had entered into an settlement with India to obtain the BrahMos missile system.
And, earlier this month, there have been information stories that advised Vietnam was near signing a BrahMos missile cope with India. However Mr. Singh’s feedback on Saturday (Might 30, 2026) got here as the primary official phrase on this within the public area.
Nonetheless, the values of the Vietnam and Indonesia offers haven’t been formally disclosed but.
Referring to the broader problem of sharing superior defence applied sciences, Mr. Singh stated nations typically bought subtle weapons programs and platforms to nations they considered pleasant companions. “Clearly you share know-how with folks you belief,” he stated.
He additional stated that India has a robust dedication to the ASEAN nations, “and we deal with all of you as “pleasant overseas nations” with whom we are able to share superior defence applied sciences”.
The Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) includes 11 member states — Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
A number of ASEAN member states, together with the Philippines and Vietnam, have overlapping maritime claims with China within the South China Sea — one of many world’s busiest commerce routes. India’s BrahMos exports to nations within the area have drawn consideration as New Delhi expands defence ties with Southeast Asian nations.
Mr. Singh informed delegates on the Shangri-La Dialogue that India was able to work with companions throughout the area and past to construct resilient provide chains, trusted defence partnerships, safe maritime commons and innovation cooperation. “Right now, resilience has turn into one of many defining strategic necessities of our time.”
Drawing consideration to geopolitical uncertainty, conflicts in Europe and West Asia, disruptions in maritime commerce routes, provide chain vulnerabilities, technological disruptions and rising strategic competitors, Mr. Singh stated these elements had been reshaping the worldwide safety panorama.
“The teachings from current years are clear. Defence preparedness can’t rely on fragile or overly concentrated provide chains. Nations right now require resilient, trusted, diversified, and technologically adaptive defence industrial ecosystems,” he stated at a session on Constructing Defence Industrial Resilience.
For India, resilience isn’t merely about self-reliance but additionally about constructing trusted partnerships, diversified manufacturing networks, innovation ecosystems and safe provide chains that contribute to regional and world stability, he stated.
The Defence Secretary additionally stated India had undertaken main reforms in defence manufacturing, innovation and exports over the previous decade. The nation had opened the sector to better private-sector participation, inspired startups and small industries, strengthened indigenous design and manufacturing and expanded collaboration with world companions, he stated.
India was not solely modernising its armed forces however was additionally rising as a reliable defence manufacturing and upkeep hub, Mr. Singh stated.
He stated government-owned corporations accounted for almost 72% of India’s defence manufacturing, whereas the personal sector contributed the remaining. Three Indian government-owned defence corporations had been among the many world’s prime 100 arms-producing corporations.
The Indian defence trade had developed capabilities in areas corresponding to missile programs, fighter plane and most important battle tanks, whereas efforts had been underway to bridge gaps in propulsion applied sciences throughout land, air and sea domains, he stated. “Our goal is to not create unique blocs, however inclusive and dependable partnerships that strengthen collective safety and scale back strategic vulnerabilities.”
Revealed – Might 30, 2026 07:20 pm IST