India eyes new $800m BrahMos deal as Philippines boosts defences against China

The BrahMos is among the world's fastest cruise missilesIndia is reportedly nearing a fresh defence deal with the Philippines for the supply of nearly 60 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles in a potential agreement worth $700 million to $800 million.The information comes from a Reuters report citing three sources with direct knowledge of the development.Manila is expected to procure around five BrahMos systems as New Delhi moves towards completing deliveries under an earlier $375 million agreement signed in 2022.Two Indian sources told Reuters that the proposed order would include nearly 60 missiles."Manila has shown interest again to procure about 5 systems of the BrahMos and they now view India as a very reliable partner," one of the Indian sources said.Philippine defence ministry spokesperson Arsenio Andolong told Reuters that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr had expressed interest in acquiring additional BrahMos missiles, but did not provide further details.Brahmos specificationsPhilippine defence secretary Gilberto Teodoro also indicated the country's interest in expanding the procurement. Speaking virtually at the Delhi Defence Dialogue on Wednesday, he said Manila hoped to acquire more BrahMos units and had submitted a wish list to Indian authorities to adapt the system more closely to the country's requirements.Manila seeks to strengthen coastal defencesThe proposed purchase comes as the Philippines steps up efforts to modernise its military and strengthen its coastal defences amid escalating tensions with China over competing territorial claims in the South China Sea. The two countries have been involved in several confrontations in the disputed waters in recent years.The BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, is among the world's fastest cruise missiles and can be launched from land, naval vessels and aircraft. Interest in the weapon system has grown since the four-day conflict between India and Pakistan last year, during which India used BrahMos missiles in combat for the first time.India has also been expanding its overseas sales of the system. In July, New Delhi announced the supply of BrahMos missiles to Indonesia and signed an agreement with Vietnam. It is also holding discussions with several other countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, South Africa and Brazil.India's defence exports reached 384.24 billion rupees ($4.11 billion) in the financial year ending March, marking an increase of more than 62 per cent from the previous year, according to government data.