New Delhi: BrahMos is emerging as a key part of India’s defence export push, with exports expected to cross $600 million, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has said.
Singh said there are contracts or agreements to sell the high-end strategic missile system to three Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia and Vietnam.
“BrahMos is a kind of benchmark for our emerging export story. This is one of the high-end strategic systems that we've been able to export,” he said in an interview with ANI.
What is BrahMos?
BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. It can travel at around Mach 2.8 (approximately 3,400 to 3,700 km/h) and has both land-attack and anti-ship capabilities.
The missile has land, sea and air-launched variants, including an air-launched version integrated with India’s Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft.
Why is BrahMos important to India?
BrahMos is deployed across India’s armed forces and provides a high-speed precision-strike capability against land and maritime targets. Its deployment from different platforms also gives the military flexibility in using the system.
The missile has also become an important symbol of India’s growing defence manufacturing and export capabilities. Defence Secretary Singh described BrahMos as a benchmark for the country’s emerging defence export story.
Foreign buyers and dealers
The Philippines was the first foreign buyer of BrahMos after signing a contract worth about $375 million in 2022 for a shore-based anti-ship missile system.
Vietnam has also signed a BrahMos deal, according to Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, although the agreement had not initially been publicly announced.
Indonesia signed an agreement with India in 2026 for BrahMos procurement. The planned deal includes two missile batteries and has been reported at around $200 million, though the final contract value should be treated separately from estimates.
Current status of BrahMos discussions and sales
India is also in discussions with other countries over possible BrahMos sales.
The UAE is among the countries holding talks with India on the missile system, while Thailand has been reported to be evaluating BrahMos. Thai discussions remain preliminary, with no publicly announced purchase contract.
Malaysia has also previously been identified as a potential customer, with BrahMos Aerospace saying it had discussions with Malaysia over the missile system.
Reports have also identified interest from countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Brazil and Chile, but these should be described as reported interest rather than confirmed deals.
BrahMos and India’s defence exports
BrahMos is part of a wider increase in India’s defence exports. Defence exports touched a record Rs 38,424 crore in 2025-26, up from Rs 23,622 crore in the previous financial year.
Indian defence equipment is now being exported to more than 80 countries, according to the figures cited by the Defence Secretary.
Singh said BrahMos has an air-launched version that has been successfully integrated with Sukhoi aircraft and has further export potential.
“The system has been proven in battle during Operation Sindoor,” he said, adding that BrahMos could remain one of the anchors of India’s defence export momentum.
The missile has a conventional warhead and an advanced guidance system and is designed to strike targets at supersonic speeds.
BrahMos export value
Singh said BrahMos exports are expected to cross $600 million. The Philippines has received around $330 million worth of the missile system, while India expects exports of about $100 million to Vietnam and around $200 million to Indonesia, he said.
Indian defence exports reached an all-time high of Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26, with both defence public sector undertakings and private companies contributing to the total.
