India-UAE Defence Talks: BrahMos Missile and Akashteer System on Table

The Indian government is in early-stage discussions with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding the potential sale of two of its flagship defence systems: the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos and the Akashteer air defence system. Four Indian sources with knowledge of the matter confirmed these talks to Reuters, marking a significant step in defence cooperation between the two nations.

The BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, is one of the world's fastest cruise missiles, capable of being launched from land, sea, and air platforms. The Akashteer system, developed by state-run Bharat Electronics Limited and the Indian Army, is a fully automated air defence system designed to integrate information from various sensors to counter aerial threats.

According to sources, the UAE has expressed interest in multiple Indian weapon systems, and negotiations are progressing rapidly. However, no formal comments have been made by Indian officials or the UAE Foreign Ministry. Any deal involving BrahMos would require Russia's approval due to the joint development agreement, but sources indicate this is unlikely to be a hurdle given Moscow's close ties with Abu Dhabi.

The UAE's renewed interest in defence procurement follows heightened regional tensions, including attacks on the Gulf nation during conflicts in West Asia. The country is seeking to diversify its defence suppliers to enhance strategic autonomy, while maintaining strong relations with the United States. Pearl Pandya, a South Asia analyst at Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, noted that closer ties with India offer the UAE strategic benefits without straining U.S. relations.

Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows that the U.S. remains the largest arms supplier to West Asia, accounting for 54% of imports between 2021 and 2025, followed by Italy (12%) and France (11%). Despite this, analysts believe India's offerings—particularly BrahMos and Akashteer—could meet UAE's needs. Siemon Wezeman, a senior researcher at SIPRI, observed that while competition among arms exporters is intense, India's systems are viable options for the UAE.

The potential sale reflects deepening ties between India and the UAE, which have recently signed multiple agreements on trade, energy, and joint military hardware development. Two Indian government sources indicated that New Delhi views this partnership as a strategic counter to the defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The growing relationship also highlights regional dynamics, including competition between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi for leadership.

India's defence exports have been steadily increasing, with a record high of approximately ₹16,000 crore in the last fiscal year. This deal, if finalized, would further bolster India's position as a defence exporter and strengthen bilateral relations with a key Gulf partner.