Military cooperation between India and Vietnam has been strengthening for a long time. In recent years, both countries have concluded a number of agreements aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Within this cooperation, discussions on the sale of the hypersonic cruise missile BrahMos have intensified.
Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh previously confirmed at forums such as the Shangri-La Dialogue that the deal with Vietnam has already been signed, but it was not publicly announced due to its sensitivity. Now, it is expected that the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung will give this deal an additional impetus. As a result, Vietnam will become the third Southeast Asian country to acquire this missile, after the Philippines and Indonesia.
This deal goes beyond a simple arms purchase; it reflects the changing landscape of regional security. Tensions are rising in the South China Sea, where the claims of many countries clash with China's claims. Vietnam has long sought to strengthen its coastal security, and a missile as fast and accurate as the BrahMos will help it counter maritime threats.
Reports indicate that the deal is valued at approximately 600-700 million US dollars, including missile batteries, training, and logistical support. This system will constitute a shore defense complex based on noise.
BrahMos is a joint project of India and Russia and is considered one of the fastest cruise missiles in the world. Its speed reaches approximately 3704 km/h, and the range of the export version is about 290 kilometers. It can be launched from land, sea, or air.
The missile strikes targets accurately while flying low over the surface, which makes interception by an adversary difficult. India has already deployed it on various platforms of its armed forces, and its potential has been demonstrated in recent operations. This is particularly important for Southeast Asian countries, as they want to protect their maritime borders without a large navy. Mobile coastal batteries provide them with anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capability, meaning the ability to prevent enemy vessels from approaching their coasts.
Currently, three Southeast Asian countries have acquired or finalized a deal to purchase BrahMos. The Philippines were the first foreign buyer, signing an agreement worth approximately 375 million dollars in 2022. Three batteries were purchased, and delivery has already taken place. The Philippines use it to defend their claims in the South China Sea.
Indonesia became the second country to conclude a deal in 2026. This is mainly done to protect its archipelago and vital sea lanes. China's activities in areas like the Natuna Sea cause concern. Vietnam is the third country; its deal is also presumed to be signed in 2026. Since Vietnam already uses Russian systems, BrahMos represents a light upgrade for it.
These three nations view BrahMos as defensive weaponry against potential maritime threats from China. China's naval activity and artificial islands in the South China Sea raise alarms in many countries. With BrahMos, these countries can create threats in their coastal zones. Despite the limited range, this increases regional resilience. India also considers these countries friendly partners and is ready to share advanced technologies. Russia's agreement was also a necessary condition for the export. Other countries, such as Thailand and Malaysia, are also showing interest, with negotiations underway, as well as countries in the Persian Gulf and Latin America. However, in Southeast Asia, the main buyers directly involved in maritime disputes with China are the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
This deal is a major success for India's defense export policy. India is becoming not only an importer but also an exporter. BrahMos serves as a prime example of this. It strengthens India's strategy in the Indo-Pacific region and promotes deepening defense ties with ASEAN countries. There are also economic benefits: production capacity increases, domestic material usage rises, and efforts are made to reduce costs.
Analysts believe this is the 'BrahMos belt' strategy. Deploying these missiles in countries around the South China Sea could change the regional balance of power. China may view this as a threat to its security, but India insists on peace and stability. India's clear position is that a strong Vietnam contributes to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Issues of delivery, training, and maintenance will be crucial. Vietnam is interested in long-term cooperation. India has previously provided lines of credit. In the future, demand may increase for air-launched or longer-range versions. Work is underway in India to increase the range, but the export version remains restricted by MTCR regulations. There are also issues related to sensitivity.