India gets first BrahMos order; Philippines signs USD 374 mn contract

The Philippines on Friday signed USD 374 million contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) to place the first-ever order for an undisclosed number of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.

The BAPL, an India-Russian joint venture, produces BrahMos, one of the fastest supersonic cruise missile in the world, that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or from land platforms.

The USD 374 million contract is to supply shore-based anti-ship BrahMos missiles to the Philippines Navy, officials said.

In a statement, the defence ministry of The Philippines said, “The BAPL signed a contract with the Department of National Defence of the Republic of Philippines on January 28, 2022, for supply of shore-based anti-ship missile system to Philippines. The BAPL is a joint venture company of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The contract is an important step forward for government of India’s policy of promoting responsible defence exports,” it added.

A sizable number of the BrahMos missiles has been deployed by India in several strategic locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

Shambhu Kumaran, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines, on Friday said he was truly privileged to witness history in the making. “Signing of the Brahmos acquisition contract by Philippines Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana today marks a decisive step forward for Prime Minister’s Mission Sagar and India’s Indo-Pacific engagement,” he tweeted.

He thanked Lorenzana and Philippines’ cabinet secretary Teddy Locsin Jr for their active support to build stronger relations with India.

“Today we are one step closer to elevating ties between our democracies to a strategic partnership and our shared objective of a free and peaceful Indo-Pacific,” Kumaran noted.

“It is also a moment of deep pride as India establishes itself as a source of high-technology equipment and a trusted partner towards capability development of friendly nations,” he added.

Reacting to BrahMoss export order, DRDO chairman G Satheesh Reddy said, “Surface to air missile Akash, Astra, anti-tank missiles, radars, torpedoes gain the interest of various countries. More systems are being developed which have export potential.

(With inputs from agencies)