Published on 6/22/2026
Indian sources told Reuters news agency that the governments of New Delhi and Abu Dhabi are holding strong talks to sell Indian defense systems to the UAE, as the Gulf state intensifies its military purchases after the war in the region.
The agency quoted four Indian sources – which it did not name – that among the defense systems that the UAE is seeking to buy from India is the BrahMos supersonic missile.
Two informed sources told Reuters that the discussions, which were not previously disclosed, include a possible sale of the Indian Akashtir air defense system.
A third source familiar with the matter said, “The UAE has expressed interest in a number of Indian weapons systems, including BrahMos and Akashtir. Talks between India and the UAE are in their initial stages and are progressing at a rapid pace.”
Reuters reported that officials in India and the UAE did not respond to requests for comment.
India and Russia cooperated in developing BrahMos, which is one of the fastest cruise missiles in the world and can be launched from land, sea and air platforms. As for Akashtir, it is a fully automated air defense system developed by the Indian state-owned company Bharat Electronics Limited in cooperation with the army.
The agency stated that the UAE is considering purchasing defense equipment from India and other sources, after being exposed to violent Iranian attacks during the war, and to enhance its ability to confront emerging threats. It also needs to protect the Strait of Hormuz, which is a vital corridor for its energy exports, according to Reuters.
This year, the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea to enhance defense cooperation worth more than $35 billion.
Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute indicate that the United States was the largest exporter of weapons to the Middle East in the period from 2021 to 2025, as it accounted for 54% of imports, followed by Italy with 12% and France with 11%.
Before completing any deal to sell BrahMos missiles to the UAE, India will need Russia’s approval, given the two countries’ participation in developing the missile, which has a range of 290 kilometers. One source ruled out that this would constitute an obstacle in light of the close relations between Moscow and Abu Dhabi.
Data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies indicate that the UAE already has the American MGM-168 Atacams ballistic missile, which has a maximum range of 300 kilometers. In the field of air defense, it has the advanced American THAAD and Patriot systems.
Defense experts said that the Akashtyr system would help integrate information from other devices to confront any air threat.
