India Emerges as a Key Defense Exporter in Southeast Asia

Aerospace and Defense Review | Monday, February 27, 2023

In the past, New Delhi had been reluctant to provide weaponry to Southeast Asian nations because to concerns about the end user agreement and compliance with specific standards. The Philippines agreement marks the end of India's strategic reluctance to supply advanced weapons to South East Asian nations.

FREMONT, CA : During the past five years, India's defence exports have increased by 334%, shifting from being an importer to an exporter of defence goods. India's policy shift toward greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing and exports has allowed for a greater degree of technology transfer to private manufacturing firms. The Indian Defense Ministry has set a target of Rs 1.75 lakh crore of defence production by 2025, which will include export of Rs 35,000 crore. The Southeast Asian region has been a key recipient of India's defence exports, with the Philippines set to receive the first delivery of Brahmos missiles, India's first major arms sale.

In addition to exporting arms, India also offers defence training, maintenance, and spare parts to over 75 countries. Myanmar has been the largest recipient of India's defence exports between 2017 and 2021, followed by Sri Lanka and Armenia. Myanmar is said to have received a remote-controlled air defence station worth USD 600,000 from an Indian public sector manufacturing company.

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India has been in negotiations with Vietnam for a USD 500 million LOC, offering Brahmos missiles, Akash missile air defence system, Varunastra anti-submarine torpedoes, and coastal radars. India's Larsen & Toubro (L&T) secured a contract to deliver 40 mm naval gun systems to the Indonesian Navy, which marks the first-ever export of the weapon system from India to Indonesia. Besides, Indonesia and Thailand, have shown interest in the Brahmos supersonic missile system. Malaysia is also set to procure 18 Light Combat Aircraft Tejas from India.

The Philippines deal signifies the end of India's strategic hesitation to transfer high-tech weapons to South East Asian countries. The strategic imperative of India's defence exports to the Philippines is indicative of a promise of India's transition from a defence-importing country to a defence exporter. Southeast Asian countries' defence purchases reflect their respective positions vis-à-vis China-US competition in the Indo-Pacific, but they would pursue their strategic autonomy objectives.

India's recent sale of Brahmos missiles to the Philippines is a significant step in New Delhi's transition from being a defence-importing country to a defence exporter. The country's defence exports have seen a remarkable rise over the past five years, and the Indian government has set ambitious targets for defence production and exports in the coming years. India's growing defence exports are reflective of the changing security dynamics in Southeast Asia, which is witnessing rising tensions and conflict among its member states, particularly due to China's military assertiveness in the region. As a result, Southeast Asian countries look forward to diversifying their defence purchases and reducing their dependence on any one particular country.

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