India Expands Defence Exports with $629M BrahMos Missile Pact with Vietnam

India has officially signed a landmark deal to supply Vietnam with the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, jointly developed with Russia. The agreement, valued at around ₹60,000 crore (~$629 million), includes training and logistical support, marking Vietnam’s largest defence acquisition in recent years and strengthening India’s role as a major defence exporter in Southeast Asia.

India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has officially confirmed at the Shangri‑La Dialogue in Singapore (May 30, 2026) that a BrahMos missile supply deal with Vietnam has been signed. However, neither India nor Vietnam has yet issued a formal government press release disclosing the contract’s detailed terms or value.

Reuters sources estimate $629 million, including training and logistical support, but no official government release has confirmed this figure.

Key Details of India–Vietnam BrahMos Missile Deal

• Signed: May 2026 at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore
• Value: Approx. ₹60,000 crore (~$629 million)
• Scope: Missile systems, training, and logistical support
• Significance: Vietnam becomes the second foreign customer after the Philippines
• Indonesia: Similar deal in final negotiation stages

BrahMos Missile Technical Highlights

• Speed: Mach 2.8–3.0 (three times the speed of sound)
• Range: Export variant ~290–300 km; extended versions 450–800 km
• Launch Platforms: Land batteries, warships, submarines, aircraft
• Features: Sea-skimming trajectory, precision strike, high kinetic impact

Strategic Significance

• Vietnam: Strengthens coastal and maritime deterrence in the South China Sea
• India: Expands defence exports, reinforces “Act East” policy
• Regional Impact: BrahMos emerging as preferred coastal defence solution in ASEAN

Comparative Snapshot of BrahMos Exports

Country	Year Signed	Value	Systems Delivered	Strategic Role
Philippines	2022	$375M	3 coastal batteries	South China Sea deterrence
Vietnam	2026	$629M	Training + logistics	Coastal defence, maritime deterrence
Indonesia	Pending (2026)	TBD	Negotiations ongoing	Coastal defence modernization

Risks & Challenges

• Geopolitical Tensions: China may view Vietnam’s acquisition as escalatory
• Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Defence Secretary Rajesh Singh stressed resilience
• Operational Integration: Vietnam must adapt training and infrastructure

Air India Inaugurates Delhi–Hanoi Non‑Stop Service, Expanding Vietnam Connectivity

Air India HAN-DEL Inauguration

Air India today inaugurated its new 5x weekly non-stop service to Hanoi, touching down at the Vietnamese capital city for the first time. Hanoi is Air India’s second gateway in Vietnam after Ho Chi Minh City and the eighth destination in Southeast Asia.

Flight AI2390 departed from Delhi at 0120 Hrs (IST), landing at Noi Bai International Airport at 0720 Hrs (local time), where it was welcomed by dignitaries from the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, airport officials, and Air India staff.

The new five times weekly service complements Air India’s daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City, offering travellers greater flexibility to explore Vietnam with open-jaw itineraries. With the launch of this service, travellers can conveniently arrive in Hanoi and return from Ho Chi Minh City, or vice versa, making multi-city leisure and business travel easier.

Air India lands at Hanoi

Air India HAN-DEL Inauguration

Air India lands at Hanoi

Air India’s Delhi-Hanoi service is operated by Air India’s A320neo aircraft, featuring a three-class cabin configuration including Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy, delivering a premium, full-service flying experience to and from India and beyond.

The new service also seamlessly connects points in the United Kingdom and Europe to Vietnam, enabling travellers between these regions to travel conveniently via Air India’s hub at Delhi.

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “Vietnam has rapidly evolved into a high-potential market for Indian travellers, supported by strong leisure demand, growing business exchanges and rising interest in multi-city holidays. With Hanoi joining our network alongside Ho Chi Minh City, we are creating more choice, greater convenience and stronger connectivity between the two countries as well as enabling traffic between Europe and Vietnam.”

SCHEDULE OF FLIGHTS BETWEEN DELHI (DEL) AND HANOI (HAN)

FLIGHT #	CITY PAIR	DEPARTURE	ARRIVAL	DAYS OF OPERATION
AI2390	Delhi - Hanoi	0120 hrs	0720 hrs	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun
AI2391	Hanoi - Delhi	0820 hrs	1135 hrs	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun

Adani Group Pledges $10 Billion Investment in Vietnam, Eyes Ports, Power & Digital Expansion

In a bold move that underscores its global ambitions, the Adani Group has committed up to $10 billion in long-term investments across Vietnam, spanning infrastructure, energy, logistics, and digital technology. The announcement was made during a high-level meeting between Adani Chairman Gautam Adani and Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam in Hanoi.

The investment marks one of the largest foreign commitments in Vietnam’s recent history and signals a deepening of the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, originally established in 2016.

Strategic Focus Areas

Adani’s investment blueprint includes:

• Infrastructure: Development of seaports, airports, and transport corridors
• Energy: Renewable and thermal power projects, national grid upgrades
• Logistics: Smart warehousing and supply chain hubs
• Digital Technology: AI-driven platforms, smart city infrastructure, and digital transformation initiatives

The group has already received in-principle approval for a $2 billion deep-sea port project in Da Nang, and is exploring additional ventures such as the Vinh Tan 3 Thermal Power Plant and airport development projects.

Adani has extensive experience in operating large-scale projects across ports, airports, logistics, energy, and digital tech. We are ready to contribute to Vietnam’s development – said Gautam Adani.

Vietnam welcomes Adani’s long-term investment and will provide favorable conditions for its operations,” affirmed General Secretary To Lam.

The Vietnam commitment comes amid Adani’s broader $100 billion domestic investment plan in India, and follows recent setbacks in the US and Kenya due to legal investigations. The move signals a strategic pivot toward Southeast Asia, where Vietnam’s pro-business reforms and digital ambitions align with Adani’s growth trajectory.