Vietnam finalizes BrahMos supersonic cruise missile purchase from India amid rising South China Sea tensions.

According to India Today on April 17, 2024, India and Vietnam are close to finalizing a $700 million agreement for the transfer of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, a development that would represent a significant step in India’s defense export efforts and a substantial upgrade to Vietnam’s maritime and aerial defense capabilities. The contract is expected to be signed within the coming months. Vietnam will become the second country after the Philippines to operate the BrahMos system. The missiles will be deployed by Vietnam’s air-launched platforms, notably Su-30 fighter jets, and by land-based coastal batteries, supporting Vietnam’s recent initiatives to modernize its defense forces. The acquisition is occurring amid ongoing maritime tensions in the South China Sea and broader regional security developments.
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The BrahMos system has evolved into several variants, capable of being deployed from land-based mobile autonomous launchers, naval ships, submarines, and aircraft. (Picture source: BrahMos)

Vietnam’s interest in BrahMos missiles dates back several years, with preliminary negotiations taking place around a $625 million package for three to five batteries in 2023. The finalized deal, valued at approximately $700 million, is expected to include both the shore-based anti-ship missile batteries, similar to the variant purchased by the Philippines, and the air-launched variant integrated with Vietnam's Su-30 aircraft. Vietnamese defense authorities have reviewed the techno-commercial aspects of the agreement, and both the Army and Navy of Vietnam are anticipated to operate the systems. During the Vietnam People's Army’s 80th anniversary events and the Vietnam International Defence Expo (VIDE24), Indian Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lieutenant General N. S. Raja Subramani, was present in Vietnam as discussions continued. BrahMos Aerospace participated in the exhibition alongside DRDO, HAL, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders. Vietnam's procurement approach reportedly includes an interest in future technology transfers to support the domestic development of advanced missile systems.

The planned acquisition of BrahMos by Vietnam is aligned with broader changes in Hanoi’s defense strategy, including a gradual reduction of reliance on Russian military technology. According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Russia accounted for 60% of Vietnam’s arms imports as of 2022. This dependency has become a concern following the war in Ukraine and disruptions to Russia's defense production and exports. Vietnam has sought alternative suppliers such as India, Israel, and South Korea. It has recently procured Israeli air defense systems and shipbuilding technology from India and South Korea. Vietnam also operates the VCS-01 anti-ship missile system domestically, but its range and capabilities remain limited compared to BrahMos. Vietnam has raised concerns about Chinese Coast Guard actions in contested waters, has undertaken fortification efforts on disputed features, and seeks to improve its coastal defense and maritime deterrence posture through acquisitions such as BrahMos.

India’s defense cooperation with Vietnam extends beyond the BrahMos deal. India previously delivered 12 high-speed guard boats to Vietnam under a $100 million defense credit line. In 2023, India announced the gifting of the missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam’s Navy. Both countries signed a mutual logistics support agreement facilitating the use of each other’s military bases for repairs and replenishment. India has provided training for Vietnamese forces operating Russian-origin equipment such as Su-30 fighters and Kilo-class submarines. Vietnamese naval units have participated in India-hosted multilateral maritime exercises such as MILAN, and the Indian and Vietnamese armies have engaged in the VINBAX military exercise series focused on United Nations peacekeeping operations. Vietnam’s defense modernization and diversification policies aim to strengthen its national capabilities in the South China Sea, where it faces increasing pressure from Chinese maritime activities.

The BrahMos missile system is a product of a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, established under the BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited in 1998. The missile design is derived from the Russian P-800 Oniks platform. It was first test-fired in 2001 and became operational with Indian forces in 2005. The system was initially designed for the Indian Navy as a ship-based anti-ship missile but has expanded to land-based, air-launched, and submarine-launched variants. The name BrahMos reflects the combination of the Brahmaputra River in India and the Moskva River in Russia. India’s entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016 enabled the development of extended-range variants for domestic use. Originally capped at a range of 290 kilometers for export compliance, newer Indian versions exceed 400 kilometers, with current projects aiming to reach up to 900 kilometers.

The BrahMos system was initially designed for the Indian Navy as a ship-based anti-ship missile but has expanded to land-based, air-launched, and submarine-launched variants. (Picture source: Indian MoD)

India’s first major BrahMos export contract was signed with the Philippines in January 2022, valued at $375 million for three shore-based batteries. The first battery was delivered to Manila by an Indian Air Force IL-76TD aircraft in April 2024, followed by a second battery transported by sea in April 2025. The systems are operated by the Philippine Marine Corps' Coastal Defense Regiment and are deployed in coastal regions to strengthen deterrence against maritime threats. The Philippines is now negotiating for the acquisition of up to nine additional BrahMos batteries under the Integrated Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile System (ISBASMS) program. India is also in discussions with Indonesia for a BrahMos sale valued at approximately $450 million. Beyond Southeast Asia, countries in Central Asia, South America, and the Middle East, including Brazil, Malaysia, and the UAE, have expressed interest. BrahMos has emerged as a key element in India's effort to expand its defense exports under the "Make in India" program, and India views the missile system as an instrument for enhancing security cooperation with regional partners.

The BrahMos system has evolved into several variants, capable of being deployed from land-based mobile autonomous launchers, naval ships, submarines, and aircraft. Land-based variants are mounted on Tatra 6x6 mobile platforms optimized for mobility across diverse terrains. Naval variants are operational aboard Indian Navy ships such as the Visakhapatnam-class and Kolkata-class destroyers. Submarine-launched variants were successfully tested from a submerged pontoon platform in 2013. The air-launched variant, designated BrahMos-A, was integrated with Su-30MKI fighters and underwent substantial airframe and systems modifications to accommodate the missile’s dimensions and weight. Future developments include the BrahMos-NG (Next Generation), a smaller and lighter missile intended for deployment on a wider variety of platforms including Tejas and Rafale fighters, as well as the BrahMos-II, a hypersonic missile under development that draws technological inspiration from Russia's 3M22 Zircon missile.

The BrahMos uses a two-stage propulsion system, with a solid-fuel booster for initial acceleration and a liquid-fueled ramjet engine for sustained flight. The missile’s speed reaches up to Mach 3, significantly reducing the reaction time available to target defenses. Export variants are limited to a 290-kilometre operational range to remain compliant with MTCR obligations, while Indian service versions are now available with ranges over 400 kilometers, with ongoing work toward extended versions reaching up to 800–900 kilometers. The missile carries a 200–300 kilogram conventional semi-armor-piercing or high-explosive warhead. Guidance is achieved through a combination of inertial navigation systems (INS), satellite navigation platforms (SatNav), and an active radar homing system during the terminal phase, allowing high precision with a circular error probable (CEP) estimated at under one meter. Terminal maneuvers such as sea-skimming flight and steep diving trajectories complicate interception by adversary air defenses, enhancing the missile’s effectiveness against maritime and land-based targets.