India is in final-stage talks to expand sales of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to the Philippines. The new deal is being pursued as deliveries under a contract signed in 2022 near completion, three sources with direct knowledge of the matter told the Reuters news agency.
According to two Indian sources, the Philippines could buy about five BrahMos missile systems under the new deal, with about 60 missiles in total. The possible deal could be worth $700 million to $800 million.
“Manila has again shown interest in buying about five BrahMos systems. They now see India as a very reliable partner,” one Indian source said.
The Philippines is modernising its armed forces and strengthening its coastal defences as tension rises in disputed waters of the South China Sea. The possible new deal with India is much larger than the earlier $375 million BrahMos order, which was for the navy.
Developed jointly by India and Russia, BrahMos is one of the fastest cruise missiles in the world. It can be launched from land, sea and air platforms.
Philippine defence ministry spokesperson Arsenio Andolong told Reuters that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr had expressed a wish to acquire more BrahMos missiles. He gave no further details.
Speaking virtually at the Delhi Defence Dialogue on Wednesday, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said his country hoped to acquire more BrahMos units. A letter of requirements has also been given to Indian authorities to make the system better suited to the Philippines’ conditions and needs, he said.
Reuters was first to report the possible size and value of the deal.
Tension in the South China Sea, Manila builds military capacity
The Philippines has moved to expand its military capacity amid disputes with Beijing over several areas of the South China Sea. There have been a number of clashes between the two countries in the region in recent years.
India’s defence and foreign ministries and the missile maker BrahMos Aerospace did not respond to requests for comment.
International interest in the BrahMos system has grown since the four-day conflict between India and Pakistan last year, in which India used the weapon in combat for the first time.
Missile sale talks with several other countries
In July, India announced the supply of BrahMos missiles to Indonesia. It has also signed a deal with Vietnam. Talks on BrahMos are also under way with several countries including the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, South Africa and Brazil.
India’s defence exports are also rising fast. According to government data, the country’s defence exports reached 384.24 billion rupees, or $4.11 billion, in the fiscal year that ended in March this year, up more than 62 percent on the previous year.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report