The Philippine Marine Corps has officially inducted its first BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missile battery, marking a historic moment in Manila’s military modernisation and regional deterrence posture. The induction makes the Philippines the first foreign operator of the BrahMos missile system — one of the fastest operational cruise missiles in the world — co-developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia.
The missile battery, displayed during the 75th-anniversary celebrations of the Philippine Marine Corps, has been deployed under the Coastal Anti-Ship Missile Battalion of the Marine Coastal Defence Regiment in Western Luzon. Positioned strategically near the West Philippine Sea, the BrahMos unit enhances Manila’s capability to deter and, if necessary, counter hostile naval manoeuvres near the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
The deployment comes amid escalating tensions following China’s recent declaration of the Scarborough Shoal as a “national nature reserve” — a move the Philippines has strongly condemned as a violation of its maritime sovereignty.
Manila’s acquisition of the BrahMos dates back to January 2022, when it signed a USD 375 million agreement with India for three complete shore-based missile systems. The first battery arrived in April 2024, followed by extensive operator training and system familiarisation conducted by Indian Navy and BrahMos Aerospace experts.
Each BrahMos coastal battery consists of two mobile launchers, a radar vehicle, a command-and-control centre, and a transport loader for additional missiles. Each launcher carries two ready-to-fire missiles, providing rapid coastal mobility and the ability to engage multiple surface targets simultaneously. With a range of nearly 290 kilometres and a top speed exceeding Mach 2.8, the BrahMos is extremely difficult to intercept, offering the Philippine Marines a formidable deterrent against hostile naval incursions.
According to defence analysts, the deployment significantly boosts the Philippines’ maritime defence capability, particularly across the strategically vital chokepoints of the West Philippine Sea. The system’s speed, accuracy, and operational flexibility are expected to shift the balance of deterrence in the region, reinforcing Manila’s maritime sovereignty against assertive Chinese activities.
Beyond the BrahMos, the Philippines is also in talks with India to procure the Akash air defence system, which can intercept high-speed aerial targets such as aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles at ranges up to 30 km. If finalised, this deal would deepen bilateral defence ties and expand Manila’s layered coastal defence network.
For India, the successful export and deployment of the BrahMos underscores its emergence as a credible defence exporter and strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific. The deal aligns with New Delhi’s broader vision of promoting regional security under its “Act East” and Indo-Pacific outreach policies.
With two more BrahMos batteries scheduled for delivery, the Philippines is on track to establish one of Southeast Asia’s most advanced coastal defence grids — a move that could inspire other regional states to strengthen their own deterrent capabilities amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.
