India and Abu Dhabi Discuss Sale of Supersonic BrahMos Missile

Indian and Abu Dhabi governments are engaged in intensive negotiations regarding the sale of Indian defense systems to the United Arab Emirates, as the Gulf state expands its military acquisitions following regional conflict, according to Indian sources cited by Reuters.

Four unnamed Indian sources told Reuters that among the defense systems the UAE seeks to acquire from India is the supersonic BrahMos missile.

Two informed sources revealed to Reuters that the discussions, previously undisclosed, also cover a potential sale of the Indian Akash air defense system.

A third source familiar with the matter stated, "The UAE has shown interest in several Indian weapons systems, including BrahMos and Akash. Talks between India and the UAE are in early stages but progressing rapidly."

Reuters reported that officials from both India and the UAE did not respond to requests for comment.

India and the UAE collaborated on developing the BrahMos, one of the world’s fastest cruise missiles, deployable from land, sea, and air platforms. The Akash system is a fully automated air defense system developed by the state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited in cooperation with the Indian Army.

The agency noted that the UAE is considering purchasing defense equipment from India and other sources after suffering intense Iranian attacks during the war, aiming to strengthen its ability to counter emerging threats and to protect the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for its energy exports.

Earlier this year, the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea to enhance defense cooperation, with a value exceeding $35 billion.

Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute indicate that India was the largest arms exporter to the Middle East between 2021 and 2025, accounting for 54% of imports, followed by Italy at 12% and France at 11%.

Before any deal to sell BrahMos missiles to the UAE can be finalized, India will require Russia’s approval, given their joint development of the missile, which has a range of 290 kilometers. One source dismissed this as a likely obstacle due to the close ties between Moscow and Abu Dhabi.

According to data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the UAE already possesses the American MGM-168 ATACMS ballistic missile, which has a maximum range of 300 kilometers. In terms of air defense, it owns the advanced American THAAD and Patriot missile systems.

Defense experts indicated that the Akash system would assist in integrating information from other devices to address any aerial threats.