New Delhi:
India on Friday delivered the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines, as part of the $375 million deal between the two sides signed in 2022.
The Indian Air Force sent its US-origin C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft with the missiles to the Philippines to deliver the weapon system to the Philippine Marine Corps.
#WATCH | BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles were delivered to the Philippines by India today. The two countries had signed a deal worth $375 million in 2022. pic.twitter.com/CLdoxiChb5
— ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024
Indian officials offered sweets to officers of the Philippine Marine Corps upon the delivery of the BrahMos missile.
#WATCH | Indian officials offer sweets to Philippine Marine Corps officers upon delivery of BrahMos missile to the Philippines under a US$375 million export order. pic.twitter.com/qzhLsMxOLu
— ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024
The export of ground systems for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system along with the missiles began last month. This is the first time that India is supplying the BrahMos missile to a foreign country.
The Philippines is taking delivery of the missile systems at a time when tensions between it and China have escalated due to frequent clashes in the South China Sea. The three batteries of the BrahMos missile system would be deployed by the Philippines in its coastal areas to protect against any threat in the region.
The deal has been approved with multiple approvals from partner countries in the program.
The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, a joint venture between the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and the Russian Federation's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, is said to be one of the most successful missile programs in the world. Recognized as the most important and fastest precision-guided weapon on a global scale, BRAHMOS has played a crucial role in enhancing India's deterrence capabilities.
The Indian Army has integrated several BrahMos regiments into its arsenal since 2007.
The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has a two-stage solid propellant booster engine as the first stage, which takes it to supersonic speed. The second stage is the liquid jet engine which takes it closer to Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound) in the cruise phase.
The BrahMos missile is multi-platform universal and can be launched from air, land and sea platforms. The rocket operates on the 'Fire and Forget principle', meaning no further guidance is required after launch, and it maintains high supersonic sound throughout the flight. The missile is said to have a low radar signature.