Archive · 9 Oct 2026
India Uses Growing Arms Exports to Expand Strategic Influence
India is selling more military equipment to other countries.
One important deal is to sell BrahMos missiles to Indonesia.
The Philippines and Vietnam have also bought or contracted for the missiles, according to the article.
The author says these sales can help countries protect themselves and build lasting ties with India.
India also sells other equipment, such as aircraft, ships, radars and artillery.
The author believes exports can help India become more influential without making formal alliances or setting up military bases.
But India still faces challenges, including needing Russia's approval for BrahMos deals.
The article also says India must prove it can deliver equipment reliably and compete with larger arms exporters.
BrahMos Aerospace signed a missile contract with Indonesia's defence ministry on July 7, 2026, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit.
The article says Indonesia joins the Philippines and Vietnam as BrahMos customers, with all three located on the South China Sea.
India's defence exports reached Rs 38,424 crore in 2025–26, up nearly 63% from the previous year; the government is targeting Rs 50,000 crore annually by 2028–29.
India is exporting a broader range of equipment, including missile systems, radars, artillery, aircraft and patrol vessels.
The article argues exports can build long-term security ties, while noting Russian sign-off requirements for BrahMos contracts and challenges around affordability and delivery reliability.
- Who
- BrahMos Aerospace and Indonesia's defence ministry, with India's defence exports as the broader subject.
- What
- A BrahMos missile contract with Indonesia and India's expanding defence exports.
- When
- The Indonesia contract was signed on July 7, 2026; export figures cited cover 2025–26.
- Where
- The contract was signed in Jakarta; the article discusses exports to Southeast Asia, the Caucasus and the Indian Ocean.
- Why
- The author argues that arms exports can strengthen India's strategic influence and security ties with buyers.
- Indonesia contract
- BrahMos Aerospace signed a contract with Indonesia's defence ministry on July 7, 2026.
- Other BrahMos buyers
- The article identifies the Philippines and Vietnam as the other customers.
- Defence exports
- Rs 38,424 crore, or about $4.11 billion, in 2025–26, according to the Ministry of Defence.
- Annual growth
- Nearly 63% in 2025–26, compared with the previous year.
- Government target
- Rs 50,000 crore in annual defence exports by 2028–29.
- Export reach
- Indian equipment goes to more than 80 countries, according to the article.
- BrahMos approval
- The article says BrahMos is an India-Russia joint venture and its contracts require Russian sign-off.
- Armenia orders
- Indian media put the orders close to $2 billion, but neither Armenia nor India had confirmed that figure, according to the article.