BrahMos Cruise Missile Delivered To Philippines Marks India’s First Export of This Kind

The Indian Air Force recently dispatched its American-origin C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft with missiles to the Philippines, delivering the weapon system to the Philippines’ Marine Corps. As a symbolic gesture, Indian officials offered sweets to the Philippines Marine Corps officers upon the delivery of the BrahMos missile. Notably, the export of ground systems for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, along with the missiles, commenced just last month.

This development comes at a critical juncture as tensions have heightened between the Philippines and China due to frequent clashes in the South China Sea. In response, the Philippines is set to deploy three batteries of the BrahMos missile system in their coastal areas to safeguard against potential threats in the region. The deal for this strategic deployment has received multiple approvals from partner nations in the programme.

The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, a collaborative effort between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, has been hailed as one of the most successful missile programs globally. Renowned for its precision and speed, BRAHMOS has significantly bolstered India’s deterrence capabilities. Since 2007, the Indian Army has integrated multiple BrahMos regiments into its arsenal.

The BrahMos missile boasts a two-stage propulsion system, with a solid propellant booster engine propelling it to supersonic speed in the first stage and a liquid ramjet engine pushing it closer to Mach 3 speed during the cruise phase. Remarkably versatile, the BrahMos missile can be launched from air, land, and sea platforms. It operates on the ‘Fire and Forget’ principle, eliminating the need for further guidance post-launch while maintaining high supersonic speed throughout its flight.