India is in final-stage talks to expand its sale of supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines, Reuters reported, as New Delhi nears completion of deliveries under an earlier 2022 agreement.
Three sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations told the news agency that Manila is expected to acquire about five BrahMos systems, comprising nearly 60 missiles in total. Two of the Indian sources put the potential value at between $700 million and $800 million — roughly double the $375 million naval order that preceded it.
“Manila has shown interest again to procure about 5 systems of the BrahMos and they now view India as a very reliable partner,” one Indian source said. Reuters said it was the first to report the size and value of the deal.
Arsenio Andolong, spokesperson for the Philippine defence ministry, confirmed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr had expressed a desire to acquire additional BrahMos missiles, but gave no further detail. Speaking virtually at the Delhi Defence Dialogue on Wednesday, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Manila hoped to secure more units and had shared a wish list with Indian authorities to tailor the system to Philippine conditions.
India’s defence and foreign ministries, along with manufacturer BrahMos Aerospace, did not respond to requests for comment.
Developed jointly by India and Russia, BrahMos is among the world’s fastest cruise missiles and can be launched from land, sea and air platforms. Interest in the system has grown since last year’s four-day conflict between India and Pakistan, in which India used the weapon in combat for the first time.
The prospective purchase comes as the Philippines modernises its military and strengthens coastal defences amid escalating tension with Beijing over competing claims in the South China Sea.
India announced the supply of BrahMos missiles to Indonesia in July and has signed a deal with Vietnam, with talks under way involving the UAE, Thailand, South Africa and Brazil. Indian defence exports for the fiscal year to March reached 384.24 billion rupees, or about $4.11 billion, a rise of more than 62 percent year on year, according to government data.
