BrahMos Cruise Missile Successfully Delivered to Philippines in Historic First for India

The Indian Air Force has dispatched its American-origin C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft carrying missiles to the Philippines. The purpose was to deliver the weapon system to the Philippines’ Marine Corps. With the delivery, Indian officials offered sweets to the Marine Corps officers as a gesture of goodwill.

This export of ground systems for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, alongside the missiles, commenced last month. The timing of the Philippines receiving the missile systems is significant, as tensions between the country and China have escalated due to frequent clashes in the South China Sea. To address potential threats in the region, the Philippines plans to deploy the three batteries of the BrahMos missile system in their coastal areas.

The deal has received multiple approvals from partner nations involved in the programme. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and the Russian Federation’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. It is recognized as one of the most successful missile programs globally, serving as a pivotal element in enhancing India’s deterrence capabilities.

Since 2007, the Indian Army has integrated multiple BrahMos regiments into its arsenal. The BrahMos missile’s exceptional capabilities include a two-stage propulsion system, with a solid propellant booster engine accelerating it to supersonic speed in the first stage, and a liquid ramjet engine propelling it closer to Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound) in the cruise phase. Notably, the missile is adaptable for deployment from air, land, and sea platforms.

Operating on the ‘Fire and Forget’ principle, it navigates without needing further guidance after launch, maintaining high supersonic speeds throughout its flight.