In big boost to Make in India, the Philippines to buy India's BrahMos missile

New Delhi, Jan 14: In a big boost to PM Narendra Modi's initiative to export India's indigenous defense materials, the Philippines on Friday accepted India's proposal to supply the BrahMos anti-ship missile system for its navy. It has accepted Indian BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd's proposal worth USD 374.9 million to supply a Shore-based Anti-Ship Missile System Acquisition Project.

 

The notice award for the contract has been communicated to BrahMos Aerospace by the Philippines' Department of National Defense. It has sought a response from BrahMos Aerospace within 10 days.

  

 

The two governments had earlier signed an “implementing agreement” for the procurement of the BrahMos missile. Notably, the Philippines is looking to boost its defence capability as it views China as a major adversary in the South China Sea row.

 

This development comes on the backdrop of the government's push for Make in India in defense and its stress on Aatmanirbhar Bharat - meaning self-reliant India program.

 

India had recently launched the naval variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from INS Visakhapatnam. The missile can fly at 2.8 Mach speed which is almost three times the speed of sound. Besides, the missile has been deployed in key areas across the country. The sea variant of the latest BrahMos missile has a range of 350 to 400 km.

 

 

There has been speculations that the Indian government is also planning to sell the missiles to Vietnam as the country looks to boost its arms export market. India is aiming to target $5 billion in defence exports by 2025.

 

The BrahMos missile is a supersonic cruise missile capable of being launched from submarines, ships, fighter jets and from land. It means BrahMos is the potent offensive missile weapon system that is already inducted into the Armed Forces and is used by the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force as well as Indian Army.

 

 

The missile has been developed as a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Federal State Unitary Enterprise NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM) of Russia. The missile has integrated stealth technology and guidance system with advanced embedded software.