‘India has signed deal with Vietnam for supply of BrahMos’: Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh

India has signed a defence agreement with Vietnam for the supply of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, as confirmed by the Defence Secretary at the Shangri-...

What Happened

India has signed a defence agreement with Vietnam for the supply of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, as confirmed by the Defence Secretary at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
The deal is valued at approximately ₹6,000 crore (around $629 million) and covers missile systems along with training and logistical support.
The deal was concluded before a formal public announcement, reflecting the sensitivity of such strategic transfers.
Vietnam becomes the second country after the Philippines to receive BrahMos missiles, with the Philippines having received its first batch in 2024 and a second shipment in April 2025.
Discussions with Indonesia are also reported to be in the final stages, indicating growing regional demand for India's flagship export platform.

Static Topic Bridges

BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile

BrahMos is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, formalised through BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, in which India holds a 50.5% stake and Russia holds 49.5%. Named after the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva, BrahMos is a ramjet-powered supersonic cruise missile capable of being launched from land, sea, submarine, and air platforms. It travels at speeds of Mach 2.8 and the current production version has a range of 800 km, with a warhead payload of 200–300 kg. It operates on a fire-and-forget principle with low radar cross-section, making interception highly difficult.

Speed: Mach 2.8 (approximately 3 times the speed of sound)
Range: Up to 800 km (current production variant)
Launch platforms: Land (TEL), ship, submarine, air (Su-30MKI)
Warhead: 200–300 kg high-explosive semi-armour-piercing
Developed by: BrahMos Aerospace (DRDO + NPO Mashinostroyeniya JV)
India's share in JV: 50.5%

Connection to this news: The BrahMos deal with Vietnam is India's second confirmed foreign military sale of this system, demonstrating both the missile's export viability and India's growing stature as a defence exporter of advanced platforms.

India's Defence Export Policy and Indigenisation Push

India's Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP 2020) set a target of ₹35,000 crore in defence exports. The government has since revised the target to ₹50,000 crore by 2029–30. In 2024–25, India's defence exports stood at ₹23,622 crore ($2.5 billion), a significant increase from under ₹2,000 crore a decade ago. The Ministry of External Affairs facilitates Lines of Credit to partner nations for procuring Indian defence equipment, enabling countries with limited foreign exchange to access Indian platforms.

DPEPP 2020: Target ₹1,75,000 crore defence turnover, ₹35,000 crore exports
Revised target: ₹50,000 crore exports by 2029–30
Actual 2024–25 exports: ₹23,622 crore (~$2.5 billion)
Mechanism: Lines of Credit via Ministry of External Affairs
Philippines received BrahMos in 2024 (first export customer)

Connection to this news: The Vietnam deal, at ₹6,000 crore, is one of India's largest single defence export contracts and advances the government's strategic goal of positioning India as a top-10 global defence exporter.

India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

India and Vietnam upgraded their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2016 during a state visit to Hanoi. Defence and security cooperation was identified as the most important pillar of this partnership. Both countries share concerns about Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, which aligns their strategic interests. India has extended Lines of Credit to Vietnam for defence procurement and the two militaries engage in regular exchanges, joint training, and capacity-building programmes.

Relationship progression: Partnership (2003) → Strategic Partnership (2007) → Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2016)
Key shared concern: Chinese claims in the South China Sea
Defence Line of Credit: India has extended LoC to Vietnam for defence purchases
2016: Indian and Vietnamese air forces signed a Programme of Cooperation
Context: Vietnam is a significant node in India's Act East Policy

Connection to this news: The BrahMos deal is the most consequential outcome of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership's defence pillar, signalling that India is now transferring frontline combat systems — not merely legacy equipment — to strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific.

Key Facts & Data

Deal value: ~₹6,000 crore (~$629 million)
Vietnam is India's second BrahMos export customer (Philippines was first, 2024)
BrahMos speed: Mach 2.8; range: up to 800 km
India's stake in BrahMos Aerospace: 50.5%; Russia's stake: 49.5%
India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established: September 2016
India's total defence exports in 2024–25: ₹23,622 crore ($2.5 billion)
Defence export target by 2029–30: ₹50,000 crore
Deal confirmed at Shangri-La Dialogue, Singapore