In A First, India Bags $375 Mn Order To Supply Brahmos Cruise Missiles To Philippines
India’s Brahmos Aerospace bagged its first export order, with the Philippines Government on January 14 announcing its decision to buy three batteries of the Brahmos supersonic anti-ship cruise missile at a price of $374,962,800 Million (Rs 2,789.20 Crore). The contract is likely to be signed next week.
A notice of award was issued to Brahmos Aerospace by the Department of National Defence of the Philippines on December 31, 2021, notifying acceptance of the Brahmos offer and directing it to submit a performance guarantee within 10 days of receipt of the notice.
This is a landmark win for India’s Defence Industrial complex in a global competition. The Indian offer is supported by Russia, which has developed the 290-km missile with India and continues to supply key played parts, notably the engine which powers Brahmos to Mach 3, or three times the speed of sound.
This will be amongst the most significant Indian exports of offensive military equipment to an ASEAN country and marks a big moment in India’s Act East Policy. “This marks the success of Indian outreach efforts to countries similarly threatened by Chinese expansionism,” a source said.
The development was announced on social media on January 14 by Secretary of the Department of National Defence of the Philippines Delfin Lorenzana.
“As head of procuring entity (HOPE), I recently signed the Notice of Award for the Philippine Navy Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile Acquisition Project.
Negotiated with the Government of India, it includes the delivery of three batteries, training for operators and maintainers as well as the necessary Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) package. Conceptualized as early as 2017, the Office of the President approved its inclusion in the Horizon 2 Priority Projects in 2020,” the Secretary stated.
“The Coastal Defense Regiment of the Philippine Marines will be the primary employer of this modern strategic defense capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Secretary Lorenzana added. There’s often been tension in the waters around Philippines because of aggressive Chinese naval presence and its territorial claims over the Spratly Islands.
There’s no official comment yet by the Ministry of Defence or Brahmos Aerospace on this landmark moment.
Brahmos missile regiments are deployed by India close to the borders where it faces threat of external aggression. It is the world’s fastest cruise missile, which with its manoeuvre capability is virtually impossible to intercept. It’s high level of accuracy is also proven. 
