Masterstroke by Modi govt as India nears Rs 5,850 crore BrahMos missile deal with…, next in line is Muslim nation of…

India is close to finalising a major defence deal with Vietnam for the sale of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. This comes just months after India successfully delivered the same missile system to the Philippines. As per reports, the negotiations between India and Vietnam are in the final stages, and the deal estimated to be worth around USD 700 million is expected to be signed soon. Once sealed, this agreement will significantly strengthen Vietnam’s coastal defence, especially in the face of rising tensions in the South China Sea.

Vietnam is eyeing the BrahMos coastal battery system, similar to what the Philippines purchased earlier. With a strike range of around 290 kilometres, the missile can precisely hit targets at sea including warships giving Vietnam the edge it needs to protect its waters from any potential threat, particularly from China.

This deal would make Vietnam the second country after the Philippines to deploy the BrahMos missile, showcasing India’s growing role as a defence exporter. Back in 2022, India had signed a USD 375 million contract with the Philippines — its first-ever overseas sale of the BrahMos system.

The interest in BrahMos is growing rapidly, especially among countries that have disputes with China over territory in the Indo-Pacific region. Alongside Vietnam, talks are ongoing with Indonesia, and several other countries from Central Asia, the Middle East, and South America have also shown interest.

India’s entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016 opened up new possibilities for exporting longer-range missiles. Previously, to comply with international export rules, the BrahMos missile’s range was kept under 300 kilometres. But after joining MTCR, India started working on longer-range versions with help from Russia.

In fact, the Indian Air Force recently test-fired an extended-range BrahMos from a Sukhoi fighter jet, hitting a target over 400 kilometres away. Scientists are now developing versions that can reach distances of up to 600 kilometres.

China, which continues to assert its claims over large parts of the South China Sea — often overlapping with the waters of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Taiwan — is watching these developments closely. As more nations in the region look to arm themselves with BrahMos, India’s missile system is emerging as a powerful deterrent against aggression and a key player in regional security.

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