The United Arab Emirates is discussing a large arms purchase from India, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and the Akashteer air defense system, according to a Reuters report cited by N12 on June 23, 2026. The talks are at an early stage, but they are moving quickly, and the UAE is said to be seeking to broaden its weapons suppliers and increase its strategic autonomy.
BrahMos was jointly developed by India and Russia, so any sale to Abu Dhabi would require technical approval from Moscow. Reuters reported that this is unlikely to become a serious obstacle because of the close relationship between Russia and the UAE. Akashteer, meanwhile, is an automated air defense system developed by Bharat Electronics with the Indian Army.
The UAE is examining new military purchases after suffering heavy attacks from Iran during the Middle East war, and it wants to improve its ability to confront emerging threats and protect the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for its energy exports. Earlier this year, Abu Dhabi signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea to advance security cooperation worth more than $35 billion.
The report says the move also reflects a broader regional shift and could strengthen the camp of states close to Israel. India and the UAE have deepened ties in recent years through trade, energy, and joint defense development, while New Delhi sees closer cooperation with Abu Dhabi as a counterweight to the recent Saudi-Pakistan security agreement. India’s BrahMos sale to the Philippines in 2022 was its first export of the missile, and it has since drawn interest from Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, South Africa, Brazil, and Chile. India’s defense exports rose to more than $4 billion in the year ending March 2026, up from $7.26 million in 2013-14.
