India delivers first batch of BrahMos to Philippines

 Recently, India has delivered the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines, symbolising a significant milestone in bilateral defence cooperation between the 2 nations.

BrahMos Missile Deal between India and the Philippines:

1. In January 2022, the Philippines made history by signing a significant $375-million agreement with India for the purchase of three batteries of the shore-based, anti-ship variant of the BrahMos missile.
2. This landmark deal marks the Philippines as the inaugural export customer for this joint venture between India and Russia, showcasing the missile's advanced capabilities and the growing trust in India's defense industry.
3. Several other countries, including Indonesia and Thailand, have also shown their interest in acquiring BrahMos systems, and discussions are currently underway to explore potential partnerships and collaborations in the future.

About BrahMos Missiles:

Development:

1. BrahMos is a collaborative project between the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya.
2. The name BrahMos is derived from the Brahmaputra River of India and the Moskva River of Russia.
3. The first successful test of the BrahMos missile was conducted in 2001 from a specially designed land-based launcher.

Capabilities:

1. BrahMos is a medium-range, supersonic ramjet cruise missile.
2. BrahMos can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land.
3. BrahMos is the fastest supersonic cruise missile in the world.
4. BrahMos has two stages:

1. The 1st stage consists of a solid fuel rocket booster.
2. The 2nd stage consists of a liquid-fueled ramjet.

Warhead:

1. Ship-launched and land-based missiles can carry a 200 kg warhead,
2. Aircraft-launched variants (BrahMos A) can carry a 300 kg warhead.

Variants and Range :

1. The BrahMos missile travels at speeds between Mach 2.8 and 3.0, with an upgrade to Mach 5.0 in development.
2. A hypersonic version of the missile, called BrahMos-II, is also being developed, with a speed of Mach 7-8 to boost aerial fast strike capability.
3. Initially restricted to a range of 290 km due to the Missile Technology Control Regime, the BrahMos missile's range was extended to 450 km after India's entry into the regime in June 2016.
4. Ongoing efforts aim to further extend the missile's range beyond 600 km, enhancing operational reach and effectiveness in various scenarios.

Strategic Implications of the move :

In light of escalating tensions in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China, the Philippine government has placed extra emphasis on enhancing its defence readiness. The acquisition of BrahMos missiles under Horizon 2 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Programme will significantly enhance the defensive capabilities of the Philippine armed forces.

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