New Delhi, April 11 (NationPress) As India aims to establish Southeast Asia as a pivotal market for the BrahMos missile, this supersonic cruise weapon—jointly engineered by India and Russia—has sparked considerable interest in the region, particularly in light of increasing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea.

The missile's remarkable speed, precise strike capabilities, and versatility across various platforms—from land and sea to air and submarines—render it a powerful asset for strengthening regional defense.

As reported by India Narrative, with velocities ranging from Mach 2.8 to Mach 3—surpassing many traditional cruise missiles deployed globally by naval forces—the BrahMos offers a striking range exceeding 400 kilometers and can be launched from multiple platforms.

“The missile is gaining popularity as the urgency among nations bordering the South China Sea to enhance their deterrence grows. Its deployment is strategically aimed at countering any aggressive maritime stance from China regarding its territorial claims in the South China Sea, which conflict with those of other neighboring nations. A key approach to enhancing this capacity is through improved Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities,” the report elaborated.

“A notable trend is emerging among countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia in this context. While China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has established formidable A2/AD capabilities, anti-ship missiles like the BrahMos empower smaller nations to implement similar strategies,” it continued.

Furthermore, the ongoing conflict in West Asia has led US allies and partners in East Asia to increasingly question Washington’s security assurances, especially given the observable shift of American missile and naval resources from the Pacific to West Asia.

This situation has raised concerns that such redeployments could compromise defense readiness in the Indo-Pacific against Chinese assertiveness.

The report emphasized that worries are rising regarding the gradual sidelining of Southeast Asia in the current US administration’s priorities, as indicated by the US National Security Strategy 2025, which scarcely references the region.

“In this environment, Southeast Asian nations are engaging with a wider range of external partners to boost their military capabilities. Indonesia’s recent decision to acquire the BrahMos missile from India is noteworthy. India, in collaboration with Japan and South Korea, is providing capacity-building, training, and technological cooperation to Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia to enhance their responses to China’s increasing assertiveness. Previously, India supplied BrahMos missiles to the Philippines in 2024 and is approaching a $700 million deal with Vietnam,” it reported.

Highlighting India's expanding role in Indo-Pacific security, the report stated, “The BrahMos agreement with Indonesia—following a similar pact with the Philippines—underscores India’s growing strategic significance in the broader Indo-Pacific geopolitical landscape.”