BrahMos Cruise Missile Successfully Delivered to Philippines – A Historic First for India

The Indian Air Force recently dispatched its American-made C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft carrying missiles to the Philippines. The purpose of this delivery was to provide the Philippines’ Marine Corps with the BrahMos missile system. During the delivery, Indian officials presented sweets as a gesture of goodwill to the officers of the Philippines Marine Corps. The export of ground systems for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, including the missiles, began last month.

The timing of the Philippines’ acquisition of the missile systems is significant, given the heightened tensions with China in the South China Sea. The deployment of three batteries of the BrahMos system along the coastal areas of the Philippines is intended to enhance the region’s defense capabilities in the face of potential threats. This deal has undergone thorough approval processes from partner nations involved in the programme. The BrahMos missile system, a collaboration between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, is widely regarded as one of the most successful missile programs worldwide.

Recognized for its precision and speed, BRAHMOS has played a crucial role in bolstering India’s deterrence capabilities. Since 2007, the Indian Army has integrated multiple BrahMos regiments into its arsenal. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is powered by a two-stage propulsion system. Its first stage is propelled by a solid propellant booster engine, while the second stage utilizes a liquid ramjet engine to achieve speeds approaching Mach 3 during the cruise phase.

Notably, the BrahMos missile is versatile and can be deployed from various platforms, including air, land, and sea. Operating on the ‘Fire-and-Forget’ principle, it maintains high supersonic speeds throughout its flight path, requiring no further guidance after launch.