Why does India need Russia's approval to sell BrahMos missile to Indonesia?
India is inching closer to sealing a deal with Indonesia for the sale of the BrahMos missile. According to an ANI report, all procedures in this regard have been completed, and all that now remains is the approval of Russia for the sale.
India, which has already exported the missiles to the Philippines, has been discussing the sale deal with Indonesia for a long time.
The missile deal would be a major milestone in India's journey towards self-reliance in defence. It would also enhance the country's stature as a global arms supplier.
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The deal was reportedly discussed in detail during the visit of top Indonesian political and defence leadership to New Delhi in the beginning of the year. Besides, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan was in Jakarta a few days ago. During the visit, he discussed with the Indonesian side the growing defence cooperation between the two countries and ways to strengthen this relationship. The sale of the missile would certainly enhance the defence relationship between the two countries.
Russia's permission needed
BrahMos missile is a joint venture product developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia. The joint venture is responsible for the design, development, production, and marketing of the supersonic cruise missile system in collaboration with a consortium of Indian and Russian defence companies. India and Russia have an "in principle" agreement to export the missile to friendly countries.
As a jointly owned technology, any export of the BrahMos missiles requires consent from both partners, making Russian approval mandatory before India can finalise the sale deal with Indonesia. As the intellectual property rights over the missile technology belong to both the countries, neither side can independently approve export deals for the missile.
Defence