[REVISION HISTORY]

India expands defence ties across Indo‑Pacific

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-05 14:35 UTC → 2026-08-07 06:24 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Since May 2026 India has broadened its defence outreach beyond the UAE, Israel and the UK to include the United States, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia and Kenya. Washington approved a $428 million foreign‑military‑sale package for Apache helicopters and M777 howitzers, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visits to Seoul and Hanoi secured deeper cooperation on joint development, cyber‑security and maritime security. At the Shangri‑La Dialogue India announced export contracts for its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to Vietnam and a pending deal with Indonesia, underscoring a push to become a major ASEAN defence supplier. Concurrently, BrahMos‑NG development was delayed a year after a customer tightened performance specs, while the joint Indo‑Russian programme unveiled three new variants – a lighter NG, a hypersonic BrahMos II and an extended‑range model – with flight trials slated for 2027. UAE officials entered early talks to acquire both the BrahMos missile and the Akashteer AI‑enabled air‑defence network, a sale that will require Russian consent. Parallel US‑India engagement deepened through the 29th Army‑to‑Army Staff Talks in Hawaii and senior inter‑service meetings in New Delhi, focusing on interoperability and joint war‑fighting. India also reinforced ties with Israel, receiving Air LORA, Rampage, SPICE and Ice Breaker missiles for integration on multiple fighter types and exploring joint production of Tamir interceptors under the “Make in India” drive. The United Kingdom’s defence partnership advanced under the new UK‑India Free Trade Agreement and the appointment of Prime Minister Andy Burnham, with joint carrier‑strike exercises, missile‑system co‑development and expanded officer exchanges cementing the relationship as a pillar of the UK’s Indo‑Pacific strategy. In August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the India‑Israel Special Strategic Partnership, emphasizing cooperation in AI, cybersecurity, defence and the evolving security situation in West Asia.

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