India and Indonesia signed several defence pacts for the supply of BrahMos cruise missiles and Astra air-to-air missiles during a visit to Jakarta.

These agreements signal a strategic shift in the Indo-Pacific region as India expands its role as a defence exporter. By providing advanced weaponry to Indonesia, India aims to strengthen maritime security and counter regional instability through deeper bilateral military ties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met at the Istana Merdeka presidential palace in March 2024 to formalize the deals. The missile supplies are part of a larger package of around eight bilateral agreements [1]. While the primary focus remains on defence, these broader pacts also cover technology, education, and health [1].

"Our partnership will deepen defence cooperation and ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific," Modi said.

The deal specifically highlights the export of the BrahMos cruise missile system and Astra air-to-air missiles. This move is intended to support the "Make in India" initiative, which seeks to transform the country into a global manufacturing hub for defence equipment.

"The BrahMos deal marks a historic milestone in Indonesia-India defence collaboration," Subianto said.

Indian officials said that the collaboration would provide a significant boost to domestic production. The Astra and BrahMos systems are critical components of India's strategic export portfolio, designed to provide high-precision strike capabilities to partner nations.

"These agreements will give a massive boost to the Make in India defence programme," Rajnath Singh, the Indian Defence Minister, said.

“"Our partnership will deepen defence cooperation and ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific."”

The agreement represents a pivot in India's foreign policy, moving from a primary importer of arms to a strategic supplier in Southeast Asia. By integrating Indonesia into its defence ecosystem through the BrahMos and Astra systems, India is establishing a concrete security architecture in the Indo-Pacific to balance regional power dynamics.