Indonesia is set to enhance its maritime defense by integrating India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and China’s CM-302 (YJ-12) missiles into a comprehensive missile umbrella as part of President Prabowo Subianto’s Minimum Essential Force 2035 roadmap. This $1.45 billion initiative aims to strengthen security across Indonesia’s vast archipelago amid increasing tensions in the South China Sea, where Indonesia faces complex sovereignty disputes over its exclusive economic zone near the Natuna Islands. Despite ongoing territorial frictions with China, Jakarta’s strategy reflects a nuanced diplomatic balancing act of cooperating with both New Delhi and Beijing. The prospective $450 million BrahMos deal, nearing finalization in 2025 after extensive negotiations and high-level visits, bolsters India’s defense export footprint in ASEAN and solidifies its strategic influence in the Indo-Pacific. Meanwhile, acquiring China’s CM-302 offers Indonesia affordable, proven long-range capabilities. This dual missile procurement enhances Indonesia’s deterrence against regional threats, supports its aspirations for autonomous regional defense, and underscores its evolving role in maintaining stability amid South China Sea rivalries involving major powers.