Brazil and India are set to expand their defense cooperation, which, while still in its early stages, holds considerable potential for growth. A high-level Brazilian delegation is expected to visit India by the end of September to discuss a range of joint projects and mutual arms sales.
According to Infodefensa, the countries are particularly interested in collaborating on the modernization and maintenance of French-made Scorpène-class submarines, which both nations operate. Additionally, there are discussions about the sale and joint production in India of Embraer’s KC-390 transport aircraft and E-Jet E2 passenger aircraft, as well as the procurement of Indian Akash NG air defense systems.
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However, one area of interest raises questions: Brazil's interest in the BrahMos missile. The BrahMos is an export version of the russian Oniks anti-ship cruise missile, produced by NPO Mashinostroyeniya in collaboration with India's DRDO. Brazil appears interested in acquiring a full coastal defense missile system based on the russian Bastion complex.
India asserts that it has fully mastered the technologies and production processes for BrahMos and is no longer dependent on russia. However, this claim has not been confirmed by the russian side.
Moreover, Defense Express adds, Moscow openly states that the production of BrahMos missiles is managed by the joint russian-Indian venture BrahMos Aerospace, with the russian federation holding a 49.5% share. During the Flot-2024 boat exhibition held this June in Kronstadt, BrahMos Aerospace's export director Pravin Pathak announced plans to sign two export contracts for BrahMos missiles.
As of May 2023, the localization level of BrahMos production in India was reported to be below 75%, indicating that russia still plays an active role in the production of these missiles. This also suggests that India could be a source of components for russia’s own Oniks missiles.
From Moscow's perspective, the BrahMos project serves as a means to bypass international sanctions affecting both the import and export of its weaponry. Consequently, a potential contract with Brazil for BrahMos missiles would generate revenue for the Kremlin through arms sales.
For context, the Philippines is currently the only importer of BrahMos missiles. A preliminary agreement was reached in March 2021, but the firm contract was only signed on January 28, 2022. This contract involves three batteries of the coastal missile system (with a minimum of three transporter-erector-launchers per unit) at a total cost of $374.96 million.
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