After Philippines, Vietnam, now Indonesia will buy BrahMos missile, talks on loan of 450 million dollars

New Delhi : Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has decided to travel to Malaysia from India instead of traveling to Pakistan. This has been done after India’s formal displeasure, as he/she had also visited Pakistan along with his/her New Delhi visit. At the same time, India is working towards giving a loan of 450 million dollars to Indonesia for the purchase of BrahMos missiles. In such a situation, if the deal is finalized, Indonesia will be the third South Asian country after Philippines and Vietnam to purchase the BrahMos cruise missile.

Work on details of loan

Meanwhile, according to people familiar with the matter, Indonesia’s Defense Ministry has sent a letter to India seeking a loan of $450 million for the purchase of BrahMos missiles jointly developed by India and Russia. he/she said that India is considering giving loan to Indonesia for this deal from State Bank of India or any other government bank. Also, the details related to this are being worked on.

Decision to take loan from India

Our sister newspaper The Economic Times was the first to report earlier this month that the purchase of BrahMos missiles would feature prominently during President Subianto’s visit despite domestic budget constraints. Indonesia has decided to take a loan from India to purchase the state-of-the-art missiles amid shortage of funds for the purchase of BrahMos missiles due to the Subianto government’s special focus on social sector projects in the first year, according to the people.

Indonesia will be the third South Asian country

When Subianto visited India as Defense Minister in 2020, BrahMos missiles were one of the major discussion points on the agenda of his/her meeting with his/her counterpart Rajnath Singh. But the deal could not be finalized due to financial constraints of the previous Indonesian government due to Covid-19. Following the Philippines’ purchase of BrahMos missiles from India, Vietnam has finalized the purchase of BrahMos missiles. In such a situation, Indonesia can be the third customer in Southeast Asia.

Indonesia is modernizing its army

Indonesia has long been seen as a potential importer of missiles as it seeks to modernize its military. Under its current president the country has a former general who can enhance the defense industry’s needs given Indonesia’s long coastline.

Cooperation for Sukhoi fighter plane

Subianto may also seek India’s support for the maintenance of Sukhoi 30 fighter aircraft of the Indonesian Air Force. Following the Russia–Ukraine War and Russia’s engagement, the Indonesian Air Force has faced some difficulties in maintaining the Su-30. According to the information, in such a situation he/she can contact India. The Indonesian Air Force fleet consists of Su-27, Su-30MKK/MK2 and Su-30MKI.