UAE seeks to buy BrahMos, Akashteer to boost post-Middle East war defence
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are in discussions over the potential sale of some of India's flagship defence systems to the Gulf country
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are in discussions over the potential sale of some of India's flagship defence systems to the Gulf country, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and the Akashteer air defence system, sources said on Monday. The early-stage talks come as the Gulf nation seeks to strengthen its military capabilities following the recent conflict in the Middle East and amid evolving regional security dynamics. Read Full Story According to sources, discussions include the possible export of Akashteer, India's fully automated air defence command-and-control system developed by state-run Bharat Electronics Ltd in collaboration with the Indian Army. Another source familiar with the negotiations said the UAE has expressed interest in multiple Indian weapons platforms. "The UAE has shown interest in a number of our weapon systems, including BrahMos and Akashteer. The talks between India and the UAE are at initial stages and are progressing fast," a source said. Neither the government nor the UAE administration has responded to the developments. UAE LOOKING TO STRENGTHEN DEFENCES The UAE has been reassessing its defence procurement strategy after facing missile and drone threats during the recent regional conflict among Iran, Israel and the US. The country is also seeking to enhance the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically vital waterway through which a significant portion of its energy exports passes.
The move reflects Abu Dhabi's broader strategy of diversifying its defence suppliers while strengthening its ability to counter emerging aerial threats. Earlier this year, the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea aimed at expanding defence cooperation, with agreements expected to exceed USD 35 billion (Rs 3.3 lakh crore). According to analysts, a diversified supplier base gives the UAE greater strategic autonomy, while closer ties with India carry the added benefit of not antagonising the United States, as both countries remain US allies. BRAHMOS, AKASHTEER AMONG INDIA'S FLAGSHIP SYSTEMS The BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, is regarded as one of the world's fastest operational supersonic cruise missiles. It can be launched from land, sea and air platforms and has an export range of around 290 km. Because the missile is jointly developed with Russia, any export to the UAE would require Moscow's approval. One source told Reuters that Russian clearance is unlikely to become a hurdle given Moscow's close relationship with Abu Dhabi. Akashteer, meanwhile, is an integrated air defence system designed to automatically process battlefield information from multiple sensors and weapon platforms, enabling faster detection and engagement of aerial threats. Defence experts say the system complements existing missile defence assets by integrating surveillance and response mechanisms. The UAE already operates advanced US-made defence systems, including the THAAD and Patriot missile defence systems, as well as the MGM-168 ATACMS ballistic missile with a maximum range of 300 km.
The BriefWire