Shafaqna Pakistan: India is in discussions with the United Arab Emirates over the potential sale of several of its key defence systems, including the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, as the Gulf country expands its military procurement following recent regional conflicts, according to Indian sources.
The talks, which have not previously been reported, also involve the possible export of India’s air defence system Akashteer, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
One source said the UAE had expressed interest in multiple Indian defence platforms, including BrahMos and Akashteer, adding that negotiations were still at an early stage but were progressing quickly.
Indian officials and the UAE foreign ministry have not issued any official comments regarding the reported discussions.
BrahMos, jointly developed by India and Russia, is among the world’s fastest cruise missiles and can be launched from land, sea and air platforms, while Akashteer is a fully automated air defence system developed by India’s state-run Bharat Electronics Ltd and the Indian Army.
The UAE is considering buying defence equipment from India and other sources after the Gulf nation was heavily attacked by Iran during the war and as it enhances its ability to respond to emerging threats. It also needs to protect the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial conduit for its energy exports.
Earlier this year, the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea to promote defence cooperation that would be worth more than $35 billion.
“A diversified supplier base gives the UAE more strategic autonomy, and closer ties with India have the added benefit of not antagonising the US as the countries remain allies,” said Pearl Pandya, South Asia senior analyst at Armed Conflict Location & Event Data, a conflict monitoring group.
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the US was the biggest exporter of arms to the Middle East between 2021 and 2025, supplying 54% of imports, followed by Italy at 12% and France at 11%.
Before clinching any BrahMos sale to the UAE, India would require Russia’s approval, as the 290-km (180-mile) range missile is jointly developed. One source said this is unlikely to pose a hurdle given Moscow’s close ties with Abu Dhabi.
Siemon Wezeman, a senior researcher with SIPRI’s arms transfers programme, said both the BrahMos missile and Akashteer system would potentially serve the UAE’s needs, even if international competition to sell Gulf states arms was increasing and the UAE had experience with other suppliers.
Source: Express Tribune
