Philippines receives first batch of BrahMos supersonic missiles from India.

As reported by the Twitter account Noise Alerts on April 19, 2024, the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles was delivered to the Philippine Marine Corps in Manila by an Indian Air Force IL-76TD aircraft. This delivery, which is part of a $375 million agreement signed in 2022, included not only the missiles but also ground launcher systems, marking the first time India has exported the BrahMos missile system to another country.
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The first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles was delivered to the Philippine Marine Corps in Manila by an Indian Air Force IL-76TD aircraft. (Picture source: Twitter/Noise Alerts)

This delivery comes at a time of heightened tensions in the South China Sea, with the Philippines planning to deploy three batteries of BrahMos missiles in strategic coastal areas to strengthen its defense posture against potential threats, notably from China’s expansive territorial claims in the region. Further strengthening its defense relationship with the Philippines, India has also extended a $100-million defense-related Line of Credit to Manila, which could also potentially include sales of the Advanced Light Helicopter and the Light Combat Helicopter.

The potential for further exports of the BrahMos system is substantial, with discussions ongoing for possible sales to other nations such as Vietnam, UAE, and Indonesia. Additionally, the Indian government has approved a substantial order for over 200 BrahMos-ER missiles, valued at close to Rs 20,000 crore (about $2.401.076), to be fitted onboard premier Indian warships and operated from Su-30MKI fighter jets by the air force, reflecting the missile's adaptability across different platforms.

The BrahMos missile, also designated as PJ-10, is a joint Indian-Russian military project, deriving its name from the Brahmaputra River in India and the Moskva River in Russia. It is produced by BrahMos Aerospace, established through a collaboration between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya. This medium-range supersonic cruise missile is capable of being launched from various platforms including submarines, ships, fighter aircraft, and land-based mobile launchers.

Operating at speeds ranging from Mach 2 to 3, the BrahMos has been operational since 2001, with continuous testing and development. The air-launched variant, known as BrahMos-A, was introduced in 2012 and became operational in 2019, while plans for future variants include the BrahMos-ER with an extended range of 800 kilometers and the BrahMos-II, a hypersonic missile with characteristics similar to the Russian 3M22 Zircon. The BrahMos operates with a two-stage propulsion system that includes a solid propellant booster for initial acceleration and a liquid ramjet engine for sustained supersonic cruise. The missile’s design allows it to fly at altitudes up to 15 kilometers and drop to as low as 10 meters during the terminal phase to evade radar detection and strike with precision.

Demonstrating precise targeting capabilities against both land and sea-based targets, the BrahMos missile's operational range varies by configuration and purpose. Its export version has a range limit of 290 km, in compliance with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) standards. Following India's induction into the MTCR in 2016, newer versions of the missile have demonstrated enhanced ranges of up to 900 km. The missile is designed to carry warheads weighing between 200 to 300 kg and features an advanced guidance system that includes an inertial navigation system combined with radar homing for precise targeting. Additionally, the BrahMos also incorporates stealth features and a "fire-and-forget" system to reduce radar detectability.

On May 22, 2019, the Indian Air Force conducted a flight test of the supersonic BrahMos Air Launched Cruise Missile from a Su-30MKI, which covered over 1,500 km to strike a land target. (Picture source: BrahMos)