India Delivers 2nd Batch of BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles to Philippines

India delivered the second batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines in April 2025, as part of a $375 million deal signed in 2022 for three missile batteries. Unlike the first batch, which was airlifted by an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster in April 2024, this shipment was transported by sea. The BrahMos, a joint India-Russia venture, has a 290 km range and a speed of Mach 2.8, enhancing the Philippines’ coastal defense capabilities, particularly amid tensions with China in the South China Sea.

The BrahMos Deal: Scope and Significance

The 2022 agreement involves the supply of three BrahMos missile batteries, including launchers, missiles, and support systems, tailored for shore-based anti-ship operations. The BrahMos missile, capable of reaching speeds of Mach 2.8 (nearly three times the speed of sound) and a range of 290 km, provides the Philippines with a credible deterrent against naval threats.

The deal also includes comprehensive training and support. In 2023, India trained 21 Philippine Navy personnel in the operation and maintenance of the BrahMos system, ensuring the Philippine Marine Corps’ Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile (SBASM) battalion can effectively integrate the weapon into its arsenal. This training aligns with the Philippines’ broader Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP), particularly its Horizon 2 and Horizon 3 phases, which prioritize advanced weaponry and maritime domain awareness.

Strategic Context: South China Sea Tensions

The BrahMos acquisition is driven by the Philippines’ need to counter China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea, where Beijing’s expansive territorial claims overlap with the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Incidents such as Chinese vessels harassing Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal have heightened the urgency for robust coastal defense. The BrahMos, deployed under the Coastal Defense Regiment, enhances the Philippines’ ability to deter naval incursions and protect its maritime rights, as affirmed by the 2016 UN arbitral ruling that China rejects.

Philippine officials have hailed the BrahMos as a “practical layer of deterrence.” National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya emphasized its role in signaling resolve, while the Philippines’ envoy described it as a “game changer” for credible defense. With plans to acquire up to five BrahMos batteries, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) aim to create a formidable anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capability.

India’s Strategic Calculus

For India, the BrahMos deal is a flagship achievement of its “Make in India” initiative, which promotes indigenous defense manufacturing and exports. The BrahMos, developed by BrahMos Aerospace (a joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya), showcases India’s technological prowess and strategic autonomy. The Philippines’ decision to procure BrahMos from India, a non-traditional supplier for a U.S. ally, highlights New Delhi’s growing credibility as a defense partner.

The deal also aligns with India’s Act East Policy and its vision as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific. By equipping the Philippines to counter China’s maritime expansion, India indirectly challenges Beijing’s dominance in the region, where the two Asian powers have their own border disputes. Analysts describe this as part of a “lattice work strategy” of coalition-building, complementing India’s participation in frameworks like the Quad (with the U.S., Japan, and Australia).

Moreover, the BrahMos export opens doors for further deals. India is in talks with Indonesia ($450 million) and Vietnam ($700 million) for similar sales, positioning BrahMos as a cost-effective alternative to Western systems. The missile’s versatility—it can be launched from land, sea, air, or submarines—enhances its appeal for Southeast Asian nations facing maritime threats.