Vietnam BrahMos deal already signed, Indonesia pact in final stages: Defence Secretary R.K. Singh
Defense Minister Rajesh Kumar Singh said on Saturday, May 30, 2026, that the BrahMos missile agreement with Vietnam has already been signed, while a similar agreement involving Indonesia is in the final stages.
Mr Singh is in Singapore to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue and his comments came in response to a question about potential buyers of the missile system.
India and Indonesia expand defense ties; New Delhi to supply BrahMos missiles
“My understanding is that the agreement with both Indonesia and Vietnam is in the final stages; in fact for Vietnam I understand it has already been signed, probably not publicly announced, but already signed,” Mr Singh said.
The Philippines, which signed a contract worth approximately 375 million dollars in 2022, became the first foreign buyer of the BrahMos missile system from India.
Indonesia announced in March that it had reached an agreement with India for the supply of the BrahMos missile system.
And earlier this month there were reports suggesting that Vietnam was close to signing the BrahMos missile deal with India. However, Mr Singh’s comments on Saturday, May 30, 2026, were the first official public statement on this matter.
However, the values of the Vietnam and Indonesia agreements have not yet been officially announced.
Touching on the issue of sharing advanced defense technologies, Mr. Singh said countries often sell advanced weapon systems and platforms to countries they consider friendly partners. “Obviously you share technology with people you trust,” he said.
He also said that India has a strong commitment to ASEAN countries and we treat all of you as “friendly foreign countries” with which we can share advanced defense technologies.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) consists of 11 member countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor and Vietnam.
Many ASEAN member states, including the Philippines and Vietnam, have overlapping maritime claims with China in the South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest trade routes. India’s BrahMos exports to regional countries attracted attention as New Delhi expanded its defense ties with Southeast Asian countries.
Mr Singh told delegates at the Shangri-La Dialogue that India is ready to work with partners across the region and beyond to build resilient supply chains, reliable defense partnerships, secure maritime commons and innovation collaboration. “Today, resilience has become one of the defining strategic needs of our time.”
Pointing out geopolitical uncertainty, conflicts in Europe and West Asia, disruptions in maritime trade routes, supply chain vulnerabilities, technological disruptions and increasing strategic competition, Mr. Singh said these factors are reshaping the global security landscape.
“The lessons of recent years are clear. Defense preparedness cannot depend on fragile or overly concentrated supply chains. Nations today need defense industrial ecosystems that are resilient, reliable, diversified and technologically adaptable,” he said. Building Defense Industry Resistance.
He said resilience for India is not just about self-reliance but also about building reliable partnerships, diversified production networks, innovation ecosystems and secure supply chains that contribute to regional and global stability.
The Defense Minister also said that India has undertaken major reforms in defense production, innovation and exports in the last decade. He said the country was opening the sector to greater private sector participation, encouraging new enterprises and small industries, strengthening domestic design and manufacturing, and expanding cooperation with global partners.
Mr. Singh said India has not only modernized its armed forces but has also emerged as a reliable defense production and maintenance hub.
He said state-owned companies account for about 72% of India’s defense production, while the private sector contributes the rest. Three defense companies owned by the Indian government were among the world’s top 100 arms producing companies.
He said the Indian defense industry has developed capabilities in areas such as missile systems, warplanes and main battle tanks, and efforts are ongoing to bridge the gaps in propulsion technologies in land, air and sea domains. “Our goal is not to create exclusive blocs, but to create inclusive and reliable partnerships that strengthen collective security and reduce strategic vulnerabilities.”
It was published – 30 May 2026 19:20 IST
