UAE to Buy India’s BrahMos and Air Defense Systems
India and the United Arab Emirates are moving ahead with a possible defense deal that will include the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and the Akashteer air defense system. BrahMos, which India and Russia jointly developed, is among the world’s fastest cruise missiles and can launch from land, sea, and air platforms. Akashteer is a modern command-and-control system that helps coordinate air defense operations and improves battlefield awareness. However, any sale would need Russia’s approval because of the missile’s joint development framework. Our correspondent has learned that total deal value may go close to 1.48B USD.
The weapon deal comes as the UAE looks to strengthen its security after recent tensions in the Middle East with Iran. It also wants stronger protection for key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for global energy supplies. In addition, this deal highlight the growing India-UAE defense partnership. For India, the interest has also shown how its defense exports have gained wider attention from foreign buyers.
BrahMos and Akashteer: Key Features
Growing Strategic Ties Between India and the UAE
India and the UAE have built a much deeper strategic partnership in recent years. Trade, energy, and defense cooperation have grown fast, and both sides have also worked on the joint development of military hardware. That has given the relationship a broader and more trusted base. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the UAE already has the U.S. MGM-168 ATACMS ballistic missile system, along with the THAAD and Patriot air defense systems. However, the reported interest in India’s Akashteer system suggests that Abu Dhabi wants more layers in its air defense network and more flexibility in its arsenal.
The possible sale of Indian defense systems also points to a wider regional shift. Two Indian government sources said New Delhi sees the talks as part of a changing strategic balance in the Gulf. They also linked the development to the recent Saudi Arabia-Pakistan defense pact. The message is clear, India and the UAE are moving closer, and their ties now matter well beyond a single deal.
India Emerges as a Rising Defense Export Power
India has emerged as a serious defense exporter, and the growing global interest in BrahMos has strengthened that image. Experts say the shift shows that India is no longer only a major arms importer. It has started to build a reputation as a reliable supplier of tested military systems. In addition, the Make in India push, along with better coordination among DRDO, public sector firms, and private industry, has helped India develop defense platforms that have performed in real conditions. BrahMos performance in Operation Sindoor gave foreign buyers clear proof of its capability.
India is also preparing to meet rising demand. In May 2025, it opened a new BrahMos production plant in Uttar Pradesh, and the facility can make about 100 missiles a year. Recent sale of BrahMos to countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia has lifted India’s profile in the global defense market. However, India still needs stronger marketing and export systems to build on that momentum. Defense exports have already risen sharply, reaching a record $2.76 billion in 2024-25, while the government has set a target of $6 billion a year by 2029. India’s defense export story now reflects real momentum, stronger credibility, and a growing place in the global arms market.
Web Resources on UAE to Buy India’s BrahMos and Air Defense Systems
1. US News : Exclusive-India in Talks to Sell Supersonic BrahMos Missile to UAE.
2. South China Morning Post : India gets global buyer interest for BrahMos missile from Asia to South America.
3. Reuters.com : India in talks to sell supersonic BrahMos missile to UAE
4. Daily Star.net : India in talks to sell BrahMos to UAE.