India and Vietnam discuss possible BrahMos missile sale during To Lam’s visit

Vietnam’s interest in acquiring India’s BrahMos missile has the potential to transform a routine arms deal into a high-stakes procurement impacting power, deterrence and strategic influence across the Indo-Pacific. This month, multiple media outlets reported that Vietnam is moving closer to acquiring India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile as the two countries deepen defense ties amid […] The post India-Vietnam BrahMos missile deal a hot shot at China appeared first on Asia Times.

Vietnam has become the latest country to enter talks to buy India’s supersonic BrahMos missile – and at least 15 more are reportedly interested – as defence ministries across Asia and elsewhere increasingly look beyond Western-made systems. New Delhi and Hanoi are in advanced negotiations over a potential US$700 million deal, with talks progressing during Vietnamese President To Lam’s visit to India this week, where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other...

Vietnamese President To Lam's India visit may boost defence ties, with talks likely to focus on BrahMos missile sales, trade growth and stronger strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

Vietnam President To Lam will visit New Delhi May 5-7, likely discussing BrahMos missile purchases and wider defence ties with India, though no weapons deal is expected.

Vietnamese President To Lam is expected to discuss expanding defence ties with India during a visit to New Delhi this week, including the potential purchase of BrahMos missiles jointly developed with Russia, two sources said. India, which has been building up domestic defence manufacturing for local use and exports, has already sold the supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines and signed a contract with Indonesia in March. A deal with Vietnam could be worth about 60 billion Indian rupees ($629 million), including training and logistical support, said one of the sources. India considers Vietnam a key part of its strategy to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region amid China’s growing influence. A third source said some defence cooperation announcements could be made during To Lam’s May 5-7 visit, though no signing of a weapons deal was expected. To Lam arrived on Tuesday in the eastern city of Bodh Gaya, a Buddhist pilgrimage site, on Tuesday. All the sources declined to be identified as they were not authorised to talk to the media on government negotiations. The foreign ministries of India and Vietnam, as well as missile maker BrahMos Aerospace, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. BrahMos is a joint venture between Indian and Russian government entities. Two-way trade between India and Vietnam crossed $16bn in the last fiscal year and both sides have been keen to expand economic ties.