Overview
- Vietnamese President To Lam, who arrived in India on Tuesday for a May 5–7 visit, is expected to discuss deeper defence ties that could include buying BrahMos missiles, according to sources.
- A potential package is valued near 60 billion rupees and could include training, logistics and operational support, one source said.
- Officials have not confirmed the talks and no weapons contract is expected during the visit, with requests for comment from both governments and BrahMos Aerospace going unanswered.
- BrahMos, a supersonic cruise missile built by an India–Russia joint venture, has already been exported to the Philippines and secured in a March contract with Indonesia.
- Sources say Hanoi favors a shore-based anti-ship version to strengthen coastal defense, reflecting India’s broader effort to support partners as ties deepen after New Delhi gifted the corvette Kirpan in 2023.