The Indian government is in initial, fast-progressing talks to export BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Akashteer air defence systems to the UAE.
Selling the jointly developed BrahMos missile to Abu Dhabi will require export clearance from Russia, which is expected to be granted smoothly.
The Akashteer system, developed by Bharat Electronics, will help the UAE integrate its existing US-supplied air defence assets.
BrahMos, Akashteer on Table as India, UAE Hold Early Defence Sale Talks
BrahMos, which is among the world's fastest cruise missiles and can be launched from land, sea and air platforms, is jointly developed by India and Russia. Akashteer is a fully automated air defence system developed by state-run Bharat Electronics and the Indian Army
Brahmos missile Brahmosaerospace
Summary
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The Centre is in talks with the United Arab Emirates to sell some of its flagship defence systems, including the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos and the Akashteer air defence system, according to a report by news agency Reuters.
The Gulf nation is stepping up arms procurement after being heavily attacked by Iran during the war in the Middle East. It also needs to protect the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial conduit for its energy exports, the report added.
"UAE has shown interest for a number of our weapon systems including BrahMos and Akashteer. The talks between India and UAE are at initial stages and are progressing fast," a source reportedly told the news agency.
BrahMos, which is among the world's fastest cruise missiles and can be launched from land, sea and air platforms, is jointly developed by India and Russia. Akashteer is a fully automated air defence system developed by state-run Bharat Electronics and the Indian Army.
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Diversifying Gulf Defence Systems
Earlier this year, the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea worth more than $35 billion to promote defence cooperation.
The UAE currently operates the US MGM-168 ATACMS ballistic missile, which has a maximum range of 300 km according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, as well as THAAD and Patriot systems. Akashteer would help integrate information from these devices to combat an air threat.
Siemon Wezeman, a senior researcher with SIPRI, said both systems would potentially serve the UAE's needs, and that upcoming sales to Gulf states were possible despite India's track record of arms export deals not always bearing fruit, as per the report.
Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows the US was the top arms exporter to the Middle East between 2021 and 2025 at 54%. Italy followed at 12%, with France supplying 11%.
India views its partnership with the UAE as a strategic counter to the recent defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the report added citing unnamed government sources.
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India's Surging Defence Exports
Before clinching any BrahMos sale to the UAE, India would require Russia's approval, as the 290-km range missile is jointly developed. This is unlikely to pose a hurdle due to Moscow's close ties with Abu Dhabi.
The report added that the India-Pakistan conflict last year sparked significant buyer interest as India used BrahMos in battle for the first time.
Since then, India has signed deals to sell BrahMos to Vietnam and Indonesia. Thailand, South Africa, Brazil and Chile have also expressed interest.
The only previous sale of the BrahMos missile was to the Philippines in 2022.
India's defence exports surged to over $4 billion in the year ending March 2026, up from $7.26 million in 2013-14.
Despite the export growth, India remains the world's second-largest buyer of arms. The country accounts for over 8% of global arms imports, according to SIPRI.
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