India to Deliver BrahMos Missiles to Philippines

April 19, 2024

India will deliver the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines soon. The delivery is part of a USD 375 million deal signed between the two nations in 2022, marking India’s first major defence export.

Strategic Significance of the BrahMos missiles

The delivery of the BrahMos missiles to the Philippines comes at a time of heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing over disputes in the South China Sea. The Philippines is expected to deploy the three batteries of the BrahMos system along its coastal areas to bolster its defence capabilities and deter potential threats in the region.
The deal is a major milestone for India’s defence exports and reflects the country’s growing stature as a supplier of advanced weapon systems. It also signifies the strengthening of strategic ties between India and the Philippines, which share concerns over China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

About the BrahMos Missile System

The BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya.
It is considered one of the most successful missile programs globally, known for its high precision and swift targeting capabilities.
The missile can be launched from land, sea, and air platforms, and has a range of up to 290 km.
It is capable of carrying conventional warheads weighing up to 300 kg and can cruise at a speed of Mach 2.8, making it difficult to intercept.

India’s Expanding Defence Exports

The BrahMos deal with the Philippines is a significant milestone in India’s efforts to boost its defence exports. In recent years, the Indian government has been actively promoting the country’s defence manufacturing capabilities and seeking to establish India as a major player in the global arms market.
In the financial year 2022-23, India’s defence exports reached a record high of USD 2.63 billion, registering a 32.5% increase from the previous year. The country has set an ambitious target of achieving defence exports worth USD 5 billion by 2025.

Apart from the Philippines, several other Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, have expressed interest in acquiring the BrahMos missile system. India is also exploring opportunities to export other indigenously developed weapon systems, such as the Akash surface-to-air missile and the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher.

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