The acquisition of BrahMos missiles by the Philippines marked a historic milestone for the Southeast Asian nation, making it the first international customer for this advanced missile system co-developed by India and Russia. This acquisition underscores the Philippines’ aim to strengthen its defensive capabilities in the face of growing regional tensions, particularly in the contested South China Sea—referred to locally as the West Philippine Sea.
However, recent comments by Ashley Tellis, a former advisor to the U.S. Department of State and senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, suggest that despite its significance, the acquisition of the BrahMos missiles has “limited operational utility” due to the Philippines’ lack of necessary C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) infrastructure.
In January 2022, the Philippines signed a deal worth approximately $375 million with BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd for the acquisition of the coastal defense variant of the BrahMos missile system. The Philippines began receiving the first batch of missiles in April of this year, marking a significant step in its journey to fortify its defense capabilities. Each system delivered includes a set of logistics packages, technical support, and training for Filipino personnel to operate the system effectively.
This transaction is a landmark for BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia, as the Philippines is the first foreign buyer of the land-launched BrahMos variant. The acquisition is not only a statement of the country’s defense aspirations but also a notable diplomatic milestone for India, as it continues to establish itself as a global arms exporter.
The BrahMos missile system is designed to carry a high-explosive warhead of approximately 200 kg, reaching speeds of Mach 2.8 (roughly three times the speed of sound) with a range of 300 kilometers. These supersonic, medium-range cruise missiles leverage ramjet technology and can be launched from multiple platforms, including land, air, sea, and submarines.
The Philippines intends to deploy the BrahMos missile system across strategic locations within its territorial waters, particularly in areas near the West Philippine Sea, to bolster its coastal defenses. Reports indicate potential deployment sites at key positions, such as Basco on Batan Island, San Felipe in Zambales, and Culion and Tagbita on Palawan Island. By stationing these missiles on Palawan Island, the Philippines can bring within target range strategic locations, including China’s military base on Mischief Reef, one of the three artificial islands militarized by China in the Spratly Islands.
The acquisition of the BrahMos missile system aligns with the Philippines’ goal of establishing a credible deterrent against foreign incursions into its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). With the recent geopolitical shifts and heightened tensions in the South China Sea, particularly concerning China’s activities on disputed reefs, the Philippines has viewed the BrahMos missiles as a way to signal its commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty. The missile’s capability to cover a 300-kilometer radius from various launch points in the Philippine archipelago makes it a formidable tool for defense against any hostile naval approaches or territorial encroachments.
According to military analysts, the BrahMos system provides the Philippines with an option to respond robustly in situations where its EEZ or territorial waters are threatened. The system’s reputation as one of the world’s fastest cruise missiles and its flexibility in deployment across different platforms provide it with high adaptability for the defense of the nation’s islands and coastlines.
Despite the considerable capabilities of the BrahMos system, Ashley Tellis has raised concerns over its operational utility for the Philippines, given the nation’s limited C4ISR infrastructure. In a statement reported by India’s news outlet The Print, Tellis acknowledged that while the BrahMos missile deal was a significant step forward in the Philippines’ defense, it lacks the critical C4ISR capabilities that are essential for maximizing the missile system’s potential. Tellis stated, “The sale of BrahMos missiles is a significant boost to the security of the Philippines, but the country still lacks the necessary infrastructure to operate them effectively.”
The C4ISR system is vital for the integration, planning, and operational deployment of advanced weapons like the BrahMos missile. Without robust C4ISR infrastructure, the Philippines would face limitations in tracking, targeting, and deploying missiles effectively, thus reducing the BrahMos system’s deterrent impact. Tellis noted that while acquiring BrahMos reflects the Philippines’ commitment to enhancing its defense, lacking C4ISR renders it “a good symbol, but it will not provide much operational utility.”
In light of the Philippines’ C4ISR shortfall, Tellis proposed that the United States could play a crucial role in helping the Philippines build its defense infrastructure. The U.S. has a vested interest in ensuring regional security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, given its security commitments and alliances in the region. Cooperation with the United States in developing C4ISR capabilities could enhance the Philippines’ ability to effectively integrate, manage, and deploy missile systems like BrahMos.
The U.S. and the Philippines already share strong defense ties, reinforced by their mutual defense treaty and recent U.S. arms sales to the Philippines, including fighter jets, surveillance aircraft, and other defense systems. Enhanced cooperation could lead to shared access to surveillance and reconnaissance data, intelligence sharing, and integration of the Philippines’ systems with U.S. regional surveillance networks.
The South China Sea remains one of the most volatile regions in Asia, with multiple territorial claims by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. China has already transformed natural reefs, such as Mischief Reef, into artificial islands equipped with military bases, runways, and radar installations. These activities have heightened security concerns among Southeast Asian nations, leading to increased regional defense spending and military partnerships.
The deployment of the BrahMos system in the Philippines is part of a larger trend among Southeast Asian countries to strengthen their defensive posture in response to China’s activities in the region. Experts believe that with the BrahMos’ deployment, China may need to reconsider its activities around disputed areas, given the missile’s ability to hit critical military installations.
In the words of Philippine officials, the BrahMos acquisition “sends a clear message” to any external party that the Philippines is ready to defend its EEZ. Still, the absence of sufficient C4ISR capabilities leaves the Philippines reliant on more advanced allies to gather and share intelligence, a dependency that could compromise the missile system’s intended deterrent function.
The Philippines’ BrahMos acquisition also brings about broader diplomatic implications, strengthening its defense partnership with India, while underscoring its reliance on the United States for operational assistance. This trilateral dynamic could have repercussions for regional stability and balance, particularly as China continues to expand its influence in Southeast Asia.
The strengthening of the India-Philippines defense relationship signifies a shift toward more diversified defense partnerships within the Indo-Pacific. India’s increasing involvement in Southeast Asia, underscored by its defense exports and strategic partnerships, reflects its broader “Act East” policy, aimed at countering China’s growing dominance in the region. The Philippines’ purchase of the BrahMos missile system serves as an emblem of India’s efforts to foster defense partnerships with Southeast Asian countries beyond its immediate neighborhood.
Meanwhile, the Philippines’ C4ISR deficit and dependence on the U.S. reinforce the strategic importance of U.S.-Philippines relations. The U.S. could see this as an opportunity to deepen its engagement in Southeast Asia, providing assistance in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to offset China’s growing regional clout. However, this also risks further heightening tensions in the South China Sea, where the U.S. and China already face off through freedom-of-navigation operations and military presence.
The Philippines has various options to address its defense infrastructure gaps. Enhanced investment in C4ISR systems, potentially through defense modernization efforts and international collaborations, could significantly boost its military’s operational efficiency and enable the effective use of advanced weapon systems like the BrahMos. Acquiring additional surveillance and reconnaissance equipment, as well as upgrading command-and-control frameworks, will be crucial steps in maximizing the BrahMos system’s strategic utility.
Moreover, continued collaboration with India could enable the Philippines to gain further insights into how India integrates and operates the BrahMos system, particularly in terms of training and tactical application. A stronger C4ISR foundation, coupled with BrahMos missile technology, would elevate the Philippines’ regional defense stance.
