India begins export of BrahMos missiles to the Philippines

The Indian Air Force begins delivery of the first batch of BrahMos missiles to Manila on Friday, amid reports of tension between the Philippines and China. Two IAF aircraft are carrying the missiles and launchers for the Philippines Marine Corps, as a part of the US$375 million deal that India and the Philippines signed in 2022.

BrahMos has a range of 290 kilometres, and is classified as a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from fighter jets, ships, submarines and Transporter Erector Launchers (TEL). The missile is a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Russian Federation’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. The deal between India and the Philippines was green-flagged after a number of approvals were cleared by the partner nations of the programme.

The BrahMos delivery, which marks the first export of the missile by India, takes place at a time when news reports are rife of recurrent clashes in the South China Sea between The Philippines and China. Reports state that the Philippines could position three batteries of the missile system along crucial coastal areas.

The BrahMos joint venture between India and Russia has been one of the most successful missile programs in the world. The missile is regarded as one of the quickest and most accurate guided weapons in the world and has been significant in beefing up India’s defence power, since the Army integrated multiple BrahMos regiments into its weaponry in 2007. Subsequently, several nations including Argentina have evinced interest in BrahMos.