UAE Looks to Buy India's Brahmos Missiles and Akashteer System

The United Arab Emirates is in early talks with India about acquiring the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile and the Akashteer air‑defence system. The Brahmos, a joint Indian‑Russian project capable of launch from land, sea and air, is among the world’s fastest cruise missiles. The Akashteer is an automated air‑defence suite that integrates radar and sensor data to detect and counter aerial threats.

The prospective deal reflects a broadening of defence cooperation between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi, driven by heightened security concerns in West Asia and the UAE’s desire to diversify its arms sources beyond the United States. Export of the Brahmos requires Russian approval, but close Indo‑Russian ties are expected to smooth that step. If concluded, the sale would mark a significant milestone for India’s growing defence‑export market, which has risen to over $4 billion in the current fiscal year.