India has dispatched the second battery of its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system to the Philippines, reinforcing the Southeast Asian nation’s coastal defenses and marking another significant step in India’s emergence as a credible defense exporter.
This shipment, which was delivered by sea, follows the first delivery in April 2024, when the missile system was flown in aboard an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft. Together, the two deliveries form part of a $374.96 million agreement signed between India and the Philippines in January 2022, covering the supply of three shore-based anti-ship missile system (SBASMS) batteries.
According to defense sources, the latest shipment was sent by ship, likely due to the heavy payload and logistical considerations. “The second battery of the missile has been sent in a ship this time,” a source familiar with the matter stated. “The first battery was sent in April 2024 in an IAF aircraft, with support coming from civil aircraft agencies. The long-haul flight carrying the heavy load was a non-stop six-hour journey before the equipment reached the western parts of the Philippines.”
These two deliveries make up two-thirds of the full consignment, with the third battery expected to be delivered later this year.
The BrahMos system, jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, is a hallmark of India’s growing defense manufacturing capabilities. BrahMos Aerospace, the joint venture behind the missile, has transformed a Cold War-era supersonic missile concept into a modern, multi-platform, high-speed precision strike weapon.
The delivery comes at a critical time for the Philippines, whose ongoing territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea have escalated in recent years. Philippine patrol vessels have clashed with Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels around contested features such as the Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal. The BrahMos missile system adds a formidable deterrent to the Philippines’ defense arsenal.
The missile, with a range of 290 kilometers and speeds reaching Mach 2.8, is capable of striking enemy warships or land targets with high precision. Launched from mobile autonomous launchers, each system includes command and control units and logistics support that can be rapidly deployed along the archipelago’s vast coastline.
For Manila, the acquisition of BrahMos missiles is seen as a key part of its Horizon 2 modernization program, which aims to upgrade the Philippine armed forces to handle modern challenges in the maritime domain.
The export of BrahMos to the Philippines is not just a commercial transaction—it is a diplomatic and strategic message. As China continues to assert dominance in the Indo-Pacific, regional players are seeking stronger defense partnerships. For India, this deal is a practical demonstration of its ‘Act East’ policy, which promotes stronger ties with ASEAN nations, especially in the face of shared security concerns.
India has stepped up military diplomacy and defense exports across Southeast Asia. In January 2025, Indonesia expressed interest in a $450 million deal for BrahMos systems, submitting a letter of intent to India’s embassy in Jakarta. Meanwhile, talks with Thailand and Vietnam have intensified, and more countries are considering the missile for their coastal defense needs.
Notably, BrahMos is undergoing a significant indigenization drive. According to official sources, around 83% of its components are now sourced from domestic suppliers. This includes critical elements such as navigation systems, airframes, and electronics. The Indian government is aiming for 100% indigenization in future variants, particularly the longer-range versions that are currently under development.
India’s delivery to the Philippines marks a milestone not only for the BrahMos program but also for India’s broader ambitions to become a leading arms exporter. In the fiscal year 2023–24, India’s defense exports hit a record ₹21,083 crore (approximately $2.63 billion), a 32.5% increase over the previous year.
While BrahMos remains the most high-profile system, India is also exporting surveillance radars, drones, artillery systems, and naval vessels to a growing list of countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The success of these exports enhances India’s global stature and supports its indigenous defense manufacturing sector under the Make in India initiative.
The deployment of BrahMos in the Philippines sends a clear signal to China that its neighbors are seeking stronger defensive capabilities. While the missile’s range does not extend to deep inland targets, it easily covers large portions of the South China Sea from coastal Philippine positions, threatening Chinese naval assets operating in disputed waters.
Analysts believe the delivery is likely to raise tensions in the region, but also contributes to deterrence by making any aggressive moves by Beijing more costly. The growing military cooperation between India and ASEAN nations also reflects a shift in the region’s security architecture—one that leans toward multipolarity and greater regional self-reliance.
Furthermore, the deal opens the door to closer India-Philippines defense cooperation. Training, maintenance, and joint drills are expected to follow, as both sides look to deepen strategic ties beyond arms transactions.
Though the version of BrahMos exported to the Philippines is the standard land-based anti-ship configuration, future enhancements are already on the table. India is developing extended-range variants with ranges over 400 km, and air-launched versions have been successfully test-fired from Su-30MKI fighter jets.
If bilateral defense relations grow stronger, future upgrades or diversified platforms—like submarine-launched or aerial variants—could become part of discussions with Southeast Asian buyers. For now, however, the shore-based variant is ideal for nations like the Philippines that are looking to strengthen maritime denial capabilities without developing a full blue-water navy.
India’s delivery of the second BrahMos battery to the Philippines is a strategic move that goes beyond the simple transfer of military hardware. It reflects a convergence of security interests, growing defense manufacturing capacity, and a larger vision for regional partnerships.
For the Philippines, BrahMos represents a critical leap forward in coastal defense and deterrence. For India, it affirms the country’s arrival on the global defense export stage and positions it as a reliable security partner in Asia.
In a region where naval tensions are likely to continue in the near future, the presence of the BrahMos missile system along Philippine shores will be watched closely—not only by Beijing, but by every nation with a stake in Indo-Pacific security.
