India negotiates sale of BrahMos missiles to United Arab Emirates

The Indian government is in early‑stage talks to export its supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, along with the Akashteer air‑defence system, to the United Arab Emirates. Sources say the negotiations have progressed quickly, although final approval will be required from Russia because BrahMos is a joint Indo‑Russian project.

The UAE is seeking to broaden its arms sources to strengthen its ability to counter regional threats and protect the strategic Strait of Hormuz after recent hostilities in the Gulf. The prospective deal is part of a wider expansion of defence cooperation between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi, which has also included a recent memorandum of understanding with South Korea worth up to $35 billion. Analysts note that while the United States remains the largest weapons supplier to the Middle East, this Indian sale is not expected to strain Indo‑U.S. ties.