UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — India is engaged in discussions with the United Arab Emirates regarding the potential export of the BrahMos supersonic missile and the Akashteer air defense command-and-control system.

The BrahMos missile is a joint development between India and Russia. Its design is based on the P-800 Oniks. The missile was initially configured to meet India's military requirements and was made compatible with Indian warships, aircraft, and indigenous software.

Early versions of the BrahMos missile had a range limited to approximately 290 kilometers. This limit kept the missile below the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Category I threshold, which applies to missiles with a range of 300 km and a 500 kg payload. India became a member of the MTCR in 2016. Russia, which holds a 49.5 percent stake in BrahMos Aerospace, is also a member of the MTCR.

The BrahMos missile now integrates indigenous Indian guidance, navigation, software, seeker technology, and multiple-platform integration. The United Arab Emirates currently operates several air and missile defense systems, including the THAAD, MIM-104 Patriot, and KM-SAM. The UAE also uses the U.S.-supplied ATACMS, a short-range ballistic missile for precision land attack, and the Black Shaheen missile, a subsonic cruise missile primarily designed for land-attack missions that cruises at approximately Mach 0.8.

Iranian strikes have previously caused damage to facilities at Al Dhafra and Al Minhad air bases in the United Arab Emirates. India's defense exports generally lack an extensive network of overseas maintenance hubs, logistic networks, and support architecture.