Study OAS ·
India Expands BrahMos Partnerships Across Southeast Asia
What’s the News?
- India is expanding BrahMos supersonic cruise missile partnerships with Southeast Asian countries, giving rise to the strategic concept termed the “BrahMos Belt.”
- The term refers to an emerging network of BrahMos-equipped coastal states around the South China Sea and adjoining maritime region; it is not an officially declared military alliance or formal Indian doctrine.
- The Philippines became the first foreign customer of BrahMos, while India has subsequently concluded agreements with Vietnam and Indonesia.
- The expanding network strengthens coastal defence capabilities of partner countries while supporting India's defence exports, Act East engagement and Indo-Pacific strategic presence.
BrahMos Belt
- The “BrahMos Belt” envisages separate Southeast Asian countries operating shore-based BrahMos systems that collectively create a stronger maritime deterrence architecture around important regional waters.
- Countries associated with the emerging network include:
- Philippines: First foreign customer; signed a $375-million contract for shore-based anti-ship missile systems.
- Vietnam: India has officially confirmed an agreement for the supply of BrahMos missiles.
- Indonesia: Entered an agreement with India to procure BrahMos; subsequent defence agreements include supply of BrahMos systems.
- Thailand and Malaysia: Have been associated with interest or evaluation, but no confirmed acquisition comparable to the above countries has been announced.
BrahMos Missile
- BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia through BrahMos Aerospace.
- It derives its name from India's Brahmaputra River and Russia's Moskva River.
- Major characteristics include:
- Land-attack and anti-ship capability.
- “Fire-and-forget” operation.
- High-speed, precision-strike capability.
- Deployment from land, ships, aircraft and submarine platforms.
- Conventional warhead capability of up to 200 kg.
- BrahMos Aerospace is a joint India-Russia defence venture involving India's DRDO and Russia's missile-development establishment.
Additional Info
- Philippines BrahMos Deal
- The Philippines signed the first international BrahMos export contract for a shore-based anti-ship missile system.
- The contract was valued at around $375 million.
- The system strengthens the country's coastal defence capability amid maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
- India–Vietnam Defence Cooperation
- India's Defence Secretary confirmed that a BrahMos supply agreement with Vietnam has been signed.
- India had earlier strengthened Vietnam's maritime capability by transferring the indigenous missile corvette INS Kirpan.
- India–Indonesia Defence Cooperation
- Indonesia formally announced an agreement to procure the BrahMos missile system.
- The broader defence partnership also includes cooperation involving Astra air-to-air missiles, military technology and maritime security.