India Delivers First Batch Of BrahMos Missile System To Philippines. See First Images

BrahMos Deal: India has delivered its first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and launchers to the Philippines as part of an important bilateral defence collaboration, two years after the USD 375 million deal was finalised in January 2022. The move reflects India’s strategic aspirations to become a major player in defence exports. This was the first export order for the BrahMos missile.

The missiles and launchers departed from Nagpur late Thursday aboard an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, and the shipment reached Manila, the capital of the Philippines, April 19 morning, ABP News has learnt.

The BrahMos missiles developed by India and Russia will significantly boost the capabilities of the Philippine Marine Corps’ coastal defence regiment in the West Philippine Sea, which remains rife with maritime disputes, especially with China.

The shipment reached Manila on April 19 morning

BrahMos: World’s Fastest Supersonic Cruise Missile

A collaborative effort between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, the BrahMos is recognised as the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile.

As reported by ABP Live earlier, its operational range was restricted to 290 km initially, but was expanded after India’s accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

India’s defence exports for 2023-24 amounted to Rs 21,083 crore (approximately USD 2.63 billion), registering a growth of 32.5% compared to the previous year. Of this, 60% contribution came from the private sector, while the rest came from defence public sector undertakings.

Amid escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, the BrahMos deal is expected to bolster India’s stature as a key defence partner.

‘Make in India’ is a buzzword in the defence circles now. The government has of late taken some major policy decisions to make India a self-reliant nation in defence, manufacturing all major defence systems in the country.