India’s first major export of the BrahMos missile to the Philippines marks a strategic leap, strengthening Manila’s deterrence and cementing New Delhi’s rise as a global defence exporter.
India has crossed a major strategic milestone with the export of its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system to the Philippines — a move that firmly signals New Delhi’s arrival as a global defence exporter and reflects its growing security role in the Indo-Pacific.
The landmark export, detailed in The National Interest, highlights India’s long-held ambition to become a serious player in the global arms market. It also underscores Manila’s confidence in Indian defence technology at a time of escalating tensions with China in the South China Sea.
The Philippines became the first foreign customer for the BrahMos after signing a $375 million contract in January 2022 for three shore-based anti-ship missile batteries. The deal includes not just the missiles but mobile launchers, radar units, command-and-control systems, logistics support, and extensive training for Philippine military personnel.
According to the magazine, India was willing to supply the system in part because it strengthens the Philippines’ ability to deter the People’s Liberation Army Navy and the increasingly confrontational China Coast Guard, both of which have stepped up aggressive manoeuvres against Manila’s forces in contested waters.
Deliveries began in April 2024, when an Indian Air Force IL-76 transported the first set of launchers, missiles, and support systems to the Philippines. A second battery arrived in April 2025, with the final unit expected soon.
The export variant of BrahMos has a strike range of 290 kilometres, and combines a solid-fuel booster with a ramjet engine for sustained cruise, enabling low-altitude, high-speed sea-skimming attacks. The missile can be deployed from land, sea, air, and submarine platforms, making it one of the most versatile supersonic systems in service globally.
For the Philippines, the acquisition is part of a broader effort to strengthen coastal defences amid persistent Chinese incursions around Second Thomas Shoal and other flashpoints. For India, it reinforces its position as a credible security partner for ASEAN nations and marks a step towards shaping the emerging multipolar maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.
New Delhi hopes the successful export will open doors to other deals — with several Southeast Asian nations already expressing interest in the system.
