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India, UAE Discuss BrahMos, Akashteer Deal Protecting Hormuz

6/23/2026

46 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

India Sells Missiles

India and the United Arab Emirates are in talks to sell the BrahMos missile and Akashteer air-defence system.
The UAE seeks the weapons to protect the Strait of Hormuz, with Moscow’s close ties to Abu Dhabi expected to secure Russian approval.
India’s defence exports rose to $4 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2026, up from $7.26 million after BrahMos was used in a four-day clash with Pakistan last year.

Summary

India Deepens UAE

India deepens its defence partnership with the United Arab Emirates to counter the new Saudi-Pakistan pact.
Analysts say the ties signal strategic competition between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.
India and the UAE have explored joint defence manufacturing and co-development of military hardware.
India's defence exports reached $4 billion in FY 2026 after the BrahMos sale to the Philippines and deals with Vietnam and Indonesia.

History

Historical Context

After Iraq’s August 1990 invasion of Kuwait, a 42-country coalition led by the United States launched Operation Desert Storm in January 1991, expelling Iraqi forces and securing the Strait of Hormuz. The war’s emphasis on protecting Gulf oil routes set a precedent that now underlies India’s and the United Arab Emirates’ 2024 negotiations to sell BrahMos and Akash-teer missiles for the same waterway.

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India Sells Missiles

India and the United Arab Emirates are in talks to sell the BrahMos missile and Akashteer air-defence system.
The UAE seeks the weapons to protect the Strait of Hormuz, with Moscow’s close ties to Abu Dhabi expected to secure Russian approval.
India’s defence exports rose to $4 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2026, up from $7.26 million after BrahMos was used in a four-day clash with Pakistan last year.

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