Manila is in advanced talks with India to acquire five additional missile systems worth up to $800 million, Reuters reports
The Philippines is nearing a deal to buy more BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India for up to $800 million as Manila strengthens its coastal defenses, Reuters reported on Thursday.
The proposed purchase includes about five missile systems and nearly 60 missiles, two Indian sources told the news agency. The negotiations are reported to be in their final stages.
The Philippines became the first foreign buyer of BrahMos in 2022, signing a $375 million contract with India for three shore-based anti-ship missile batteries. India began deliveries in April 2024 and is nearing completion of the original agreement.
The missile was jointly developed by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya and is manufactured in India. It can be launched from land, sea, and air platforms.
The Philippines has submitted a list of requested modifications to the Indian authorities, Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said at the Delhi Defense Dialogue on Wednesday.
“We hope to increase the number of BrahMos units we have,” he said, adding that Manila wants the system tailored to the country’s operating conditions. The limited road and bridge infrastructure and lack of an active rail network pose challenges in transporting heavy military equipment, he explained.
📹 Beyond BrahMos: Philippines Seeks 🇮🇳 Satellites And Air Defense Systems
DefSec Gilberto Teodoro revealed that Manila has instructed the military to pursue a satellite acquisition programme, with India identified as a “very, very important potential partner”.
🇵🇭 has also offered its maritime territory and technical expertise for testing satellite technologies.
Teodoro said Manila has also identified India as a “very important potential partner” for its military’s satellite program and air defense systems, and offered its territory to India to test satellite technologies.
Philippines Defense Ministry spokesperson Arsenio Andolong confirmed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to acquire more BrahMos missiles. Manila has been modernizing its armed forces and strengthening coastal defenses amid territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea.
The Philippines expressed interest in more BrahMos missiles during Marcos’ visit to India in August last year. The two countries also elevated their relations to a strategic partnership during the visit, agreeing to expand defense and maritime security cooperation.
India has expanded BrahMos sales to other Southeast Asian countries, with an agreement to supply the missiles to Indonesia announced in July. Indian Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed in May that a deal with Vietnam had been signed.
