India discusses BrahMos missile, Akashteer sale with UAE

India and the United Arab Emirates are in early‑stage talks to export two of India's flagship defence systems: the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and the Akashteer fully automated air‑defence network. Sources said the discussions are progressing quickly, with a senior Indian official quoted as stating, “UAE has shown interest for a number of our weapon systems including BrahMos and Akashteer.”

The deal would require Russia’s consent because the BrahMos missile is a joint Indo‑Russian project. The UAE is seeking to strengthen its security posture after recent regional conflicts, protect the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, and diversify its arms suppliers without antagonising the United States. Analysts note that the UAE already operates advanced US systems such as THAAD and Patriot, and that Akashteer would complement those by integrating data from multiple sensors.

India’s defence exports have surged past US$4 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2026, driven by sales to Vietnam, the Philippines and other partners. The prospective UAE contract could add billions to that figure and signal a shift in Gulf defence procurement toward Indian platforms.