Philippines to acquire more BrahMos India Missile Systems.

The BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia, capable of striking naval and land targets at ranges over 290 km with speeds nearing Mach 3, providing rapid-response precision and formidable deterrent power for coastal defence.

Speaking to Indian media on the sidelines of President Ferdinand Marcos Junior’s state visit from August 4 to 8, Secretary Teodoro emphasised the operational and strategic value of the BrahMos system, describing the experience with the initial three batteries as “very enlightening” and a foundation for broader, long-term collaboration. This statement reinforces the Philippines’ growing interest in cementing defence ties with New Delhi through sustained acquisition programs and joint capability development.

The Philippines became the first foreign customer of the BrahMos missile system when, in January 2022, then Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana signed a PHP18.9 billion contract with BrahMos Aerospace for three shore-based missile batteries. The system, capable of delivering precision strikes at supersonic speeds of up to Mach 3, provides the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with a potent tool for coastal defence and area denial operations amid growing regional security tensions.

President Marcos previously indicated that the BrahMos acquisition aligns with the next phase of the AFP modernisation program, focused on maritime security and credible deterrence. The push for additional systems is expected to include upgrades to training, logistics support, and the possible integration of new BrahMos variants with longer ranges and multi-platform deployment capabilities, including naval and air launch options.

The move comes as the Philippines seeks to enhance its defence self-reliance and operational readiness, particularly in contested maritime zones. The BrahMos missile system, jointly developed by India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, is seen as a force multiplier in the region, and its expanding presence in Southeast Asia represents a notable shift in the balance of deterrence amid ongoing strategic competition.

The BrahMos systems already deployed in Philippine service are the Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile System (SBASMS) configuration, optimised specifically for maritime strike missions. This variant is designed to target and neutralise hostile surface vessels, such as warships and amphibious assault platforms, at ranges exceeding 290 kilometers, with upgraded variants now reaching up to 450 kilometers. Firing at speeds nearing Mach 3 and featuring a sea-skimming trajectory, the missile presents a severe challenge to enemy naval air defences. Its deployment along the Philippine coastline and island territories provides a mobile, high-speed deterrent capable of defending the country’s maritime zones, including areas of strategic concern in the South China Sea.

The acquisition and expansion of the BrahMos missile system are of strategic importance for the Philippines because they directly enhance the nation’s ability to defend its maritime sovereignty in a region marked by intensifying geopolitical tensions. As an archipelagic state with vast maritime claims and critical sea lines of communication, the Philippines faces growing challenges in protecting its territorial integrity. By deploying a highly capable shore-based anti-ship system like BrahMos, the country gains a credible and immediate deterrent against potential naval incursions.

The missile’s precision strike capability and rapid response profile contribute to a robust area-denial posture that significantly increases the cost of hostile actions against Philippine interests. More than just a defence acquisition, the BrahMos system symbolises the Philippines’ intent to develop a modern, self-reliant military posture while reinforcing its role in maintaining regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

[Mach3 speed – is approximately 3,704 Kilometres per hour (2,301 miles per hour) at Sea Level. Therefore, signifies a speed that is three times faster than the speed of sound].

Team Maverick