India hands over BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Philippines

India on Friday handed over BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines as part of a US$375 million agreement signed between the two sides in 2022.

According to defense sources, the Indian Air Force sent its American origin C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft with missiles to the Philippines to deliver the weapon system to the Philippines Marine Corps.

He said the export of missiles as well as ground systems for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system had started only last month.

The Philippines is taking delivery of the missile systems at a time when tensions have risen between them and China due to frequent skirmishes in the South China Sea. Three batteries of the BrahMos missile system will be deployed by the Philippines along its coastal areas to protect against any threat in the region.

The deal has been approved with multiple approvals from participating countries in the program.

The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, a joint venture between the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and the Russian Federation's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, is said to be one of the world's most successful missile programmes. Globally recognized as the foremost and fastest precision-guided weapon, BrahMos has played a vital role in enhancing India's deterrent capabilities.

The Indian Army has integrated several BrahMos regiments into its arsenal since 2007.