India to support development of Indonesia specific EVM, export Astra and more Brahmos missiles
During a bilateral visit to Jakarta, India and Indonesia concluded a series of landmark defence and strategic agreements, marking a significant deepening of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Indonesia signed a deal for additional BrahMos supersonic cruise missile batteries, expanding on an earlier 2026 agreement for the first battery; India also agreed to support development of Indonesia-specific Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
India agreed to export its indigenous Astra Mk-1 Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) to Indonesia, marking a significant step in India's indigenous defence export agenda.
The two sides agreed to jointly develop Sabang port — strategically located near the Strait of Malacca — and to invest in steel, nickel, and rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing in Indonesia to strengthen critical mineral supply chains.
Talks also covered cooperation on ports, critical minerals, and broader maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
BrahMos Missile System
BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed under a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya through BrahMos Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. The joint venture company was formally established on 5 December 1995, with India holding 50.5% and Russia 49.5% of the equity. The first successful test launch occurred on 12 June 2001. The missile is named after the Brahmaputra (India) and Moskva (Russia) rivers.
Key Details
- BrahMos operates on a two-stage propulsion system: solid-fuel booster for initial acceleration, liquid ramjet for sustained cruise at approximately Mach 2.8–3.
- Export version range: up to 290 km; warhead: up to 300 kg; capable of sea-skimming at as low as 5 metres above sea level for terminal approach.
- Can be launched from land (TEL — Transporter Erector Launcher), sea (warships), air (Su-30MKI), and submarines — making it a true multi-platform system.
- After India joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in June 2016, the range restriction on BrahMos was progressively lifted, enabling enhanced variants with ranges beyond 350 km.
- BrahMos is the world's only operational supersonic cruise missile available for export; Indonesia is among its earliest international buyers.
Indonesia's procurement of additional BrahMos batteries — beyond the first battery agreed in early 2026 — reflects both the system's operational credibility and the deepening of India-Indonesia defence ties. It also validates India's emerging role as a credible defence exporter.
Astra BVRAAM — India's Indigenous Air-to-Air Missile
Astra is India's first indigenously developed Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), designed by DRDO's Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad. The project was formally sanctioned in 2004 with a budget of ₹955 crore. The first successful test flight of Astra Mk-1 took place on 4 May 2014. Production was transferred to Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) under a Buy (Indian-IDDM) contract worth ₹2,971 crore.
Key Details
- Astra Mk-1: Range of approximately 110 km (high-altitude launch); speed ~Mach 4+; weight ~170 kg; diameter 178 mm.
- Guidance: Mid-course inertial navigation with data-link updates; terminal phase uses active radar homing (fire-and-forget).
- Currently integrated on IAF's Su-30MKI; also inducted by the Indian Navy.
- Astra Mk-2 (under development): Dual-pulse solid rocket motor, range 150–200+ km, speed ~Mach 4.5.
- Astra Mk-3 (development stage): Ramjet propulsion, targeting ~300 km range, operational induction aimed at 2029.
- Indonesia's Air Force operates the Su-30MKI platform, making integration of the Astra Mk-1 relatively straightforward.
The export of Astra to Indonesia is notable as it marks the potential first foreign sale of India's indigenous air-to-air missile — a milestone for the Atmanirbhar Bharat defence manufacturing programme. It also signals that DRDO-developed systems are now export-competitive.
India's Defence Export Ecosystem: MTCR, Make in India, and DAP 2020
India's defence exports have grown from ₹686 crore in FY 2013-14 to ₹23,622 crore in FY 2024-25 — a more than 34-fold increase — driven by Atmanirbhar Bharat and the Make in India initiative in defence. Policy enablers include Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 and Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025, which mandate indigenisation and facilitate exports. India joined the MTCR on 27 June 2016 (35th member), enabling it to export missile systems above the MTCR Category I threshold to partner nations. The government's target is ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029.
Key Details
- MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime): Informal political understanding among 35 member states to limit proliferation of missiles and delivery systems capable of carrying WMDs. India's membership enables purchase of high-end missile technology and expands co-production opportunities.
- As of March 2026: 134 companies partnered with DRDO; 2,180 technology transfer agreements signed; 2,780+ IPRs opened to Indian industry.
- Major exported platforms include Pinaka MBRL, BrahMos, Akash SAM, Dornier-228, advanced towed artillery guns, and radars.
- Private sector accounts for approximately 60% of India's defence exports.
The BrahMos and Astra deals with Indonesia represent the operationalisation of India's post-MTCR defence export strategy — selling not just components but complete front-line weapon systems to strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific.
Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Security
Critical minerals — including nickel, cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements — are essential for electric vehicle batteries, defence electronics, and semiconductor supply chains. Indonesia is the world's largest producer of nickel and has significant reserves of other critical minerals. India's agreement to invest in manufacturing steel, nickel processing, and rare earth permanent magnets in Indonesia is part of a broader strategy to secure upstream supply chains for both civilian and defence-industrial applications.
Key Details
- Rare earth permanent magnets (e.g., neodymium-iron-boron) are essential components in electric motors, missile guidance systems, radar equipment, and fighter jet actuators.
- Indonesia holds approximately 21 million tonnes of nickel reserves (largest globally), critical for lithium-ion battery cathodes.
- India's Critical Minerals Mission (announced in Union Budget 2024-25) identifies 30 critical minerals for strategic stockpiling and supply chain development.
- Joint manufacturing in Indonesia would reduce India's dependence on China for critical mineral processing.
The agreement to jointly invest in critical mineral manufacturing in Indonesia directly addresses India's supply-chain vulnerability in defence and clean-energy sectors, while giving Indonesia value-added industrial capacity rather than just raw material extraction.
- BrahMos Aerospace JV established: 5 December 1995 (India 50.5%, Russia 49.5%)
- First BrahMos test launch: 12 June 2001
- BrahMos export range: ~290 km; speed: ~Mach 2.8–3; warhead: up to 300 kg
- India joined MTCR: 27 June 2016 (35th member)
- Astra Mk-1 range: ~110 km (high-altitude); speed: ~Mach 4+; weight: ~170 kg
- Astra Mk-1 BDL production contract: ₹2,971 crore (Buy Indian-IDDM category)
- India's defence exports FY 2024-25: ₹23,622 crore (34x growth from ₹686 crore in FY 2013-14)
- India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established: May 2018
- Indonesia: world's largest nickel producer with ~21 million tonnes of reserves
- India's defence export target: ₹50,000 crore by 2029