BrahMos missile.
India and Vietnam are close to finalizing a deal for the BrahMos missile system worth $700 million. The two countries are going through a number of formalities related to the transaction. The agreement could be signed in the coming months. The Vietnamese Ministry of Defense has shared and discussed technical and commercial details. Vietnam hopes to seal this huge BrahMos missile deal for its army and navy.
The BrahMos missile is developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Russian NPO Mashinostroyenia. If the deal is completed, Vietnam will become the second country to purchase BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles after the Philippines.
According to sources, Vietnam is awaiting a draft deal that will include the final amount, delivery deadlines and payment terms. Discussions on a Brahmos trade are ongoing. Vietnam has previously purchased the Bastion-P (K-300P) coastal defense missile system from Russia and delivered it for the first time in 2011.
Raja Subramani visits Vietnam
Recently, Indian Army Deputy Chief NS Raja Subramani also visited Vietnam. During his official visit, he also attended the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People’s Army at the National Convention Center in Hanoi. A military statement said the visit further strengthened cooperation between the two militaries based on strategic partnership and trust. This is of great significance to strengthening the security of the Indo-Pacific region and thereby ensuring the stability and prosperity of the region.
India to deliver 12 high-speed escort boats in 2022
In 2022, India handed over to Vietnam 12 high-speed escort boats built with a US$100 million defense loan. Recently, India presented the domestically produced guided missile frigate “Kirpan” to Vietnam. The two countries have a mutual logistics support agreement that allows the use of each other’s military bases when needed. India is also training Vietnamese military personnel. In February 2024, Vietnamese naval ships participated in the Milan International Maritime Exercise held in India.
What’s special about BrahMos missiles
- BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia. The missile is based on the Russian P-800 Onyx cruise missile. It can be launched from a submarine, ship, fighter jet or land. The missile can carry conventional warheads weighing 200 to 300 kilograms.
- The BrahMos missile can be launched from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher (MAL). BrahMos missiles are used by all three wings of the Indian Armed Forces. BrahMos missiles are named after the Brahmaputra River in India and the Moskva River in Russia.
