India signs BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam

India has quietly signed an agreement to export its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system to Vietnam, while a similar deal with Indonesia is nearing completion, according to India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Singh said the agreement with Vietnam had already been concluded, although it had not yet been officially announced.

“My understanding is that with both Indonesia and with Vietnam, the deal is in the final stages. In fact, for Vietnam, I understand that it has already been signed, probably not publicly announced, but it’s already been signed,” Singh said.

The reported agreement with Vietnam is valued at around Rs5,800 crore and is expected to include coastal defence missile batteries, an initial stock of missiles, as well as training and logistical support. Reports also suggest that Hanoi may later seek the air-launched version of the missile system.

The development marks another step in India’s efforts to expand defence exports and strengthen strategic ties across Southeast Asia.

The BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, is regarded as one of the world’s fastest operational cruise missiles. Capable of travelling at nearly Mach 3 — about three times the speed of sound — it can be launched from land, sea and air platforms and is designed to strike both ships and land targets with high precision.

The Philippines became the first foreign buyer of the missile system after signing a nearly $375 million agreement in 2022. The first batch of missiles was delivered in 2024, followed by a second shipment in April 2025.

Singh said India remained committed to strengthening defence cooperation with ASEAN countries and was prepared to share advanced defence technology with friendly nations in the region.

Indonesia is expected to become the next overseas customer once negotiations are finalised.

The agreements come amid continuing tensions in the South China Sea, where Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines all have overlapping maritime disputes with China. Beijing claims large areas of the strategically important waterway, claims rejected by several Southeast Asian nations.

Analysts say the growing demand for BrahMos reflects increasing regional concerns over maritime security and the need for stronger coastal defence capabilities.

For New Delhi, the missile exports also carry wider strategic importance. Since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash with China, India has accelerated efforts to deepen security partnerships and expand its defence presence across the Indo-Pacific region.