India Delivers Second Batch of BrahMos Missiles to Philippines Amid South China Sea Tensions

The Philippines has received the second batch of BrahMos cruise missiles from India, marking a significant step in bolstering its defense capabilities amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea. The delivery, completed via ship as reported by Indian outlets such as The Economic Times and The New Indian Express, follows the first batch’s arrival in April 2024, transported by an Indian Air Force aircraft. This development is part of a broader P18.9-billion (US$340 million) deal with BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd., an Indian-Russian joint venture, to acquire three missile batteries for the Philippine Navy’s shore-based anti-ship missile system.

Strategic Deterrence in the West Philippine Sea

The BrahMos missiles, known as the world’s fastest supersonic anti-ship missile system with a speed of Mach 2.8—nearly three times the speed of sound—are designed to serve as a deterrent against threats to Philippine sovereignty, particularly in the contested West Philippine Sea. This region, part of the broader South China Sea, is claimed almost entirely by Beijing, including waters within Manila’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone. The missiles, with a range of 290 to 400 kilometers, can be launched from multiple platforms, including land, sea, air, and submarines, offering versatile deployment options.

The first batch of BrahMos missiles arrived in April 2024, positioning the Philippines as the third Southeast Asian nation to acquire this advanced weaponry, following Indonesia and Vietnam. Each missile battery comprises at least three mobile firing units, supported by command and control technology, radar, and additional vehicles. The strategic importance of this acquisition was underscored during the contract signing in January 2022, when then-Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana stated that the missiles would provide “deterrence against any attempt to undermine our sovereignty and sovereign rights, especially in the West Philippine Sea.”

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, directed inquiries regarding the latest delivery to the Department of National Defense (DND). As of this reporting, the DND has not responded to requests for comment, leaving open questions about the operational readiness of the second battery and its deployment timeline.

Deepening India-Philippines Defense Ties

The delivery of the second batch of BrahMos missiles is not merely a transactional milestone but a reflection of the growing defense partnership between India and the Philippines. During a visit to India in March 2025, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner emphasized the importance of this collaboration at the Raisina Dialogue, an annual geopolitical conference. “India is a vital partner. Beyond procurement, we are looking into joint manufacturing, technology transfer, and local production in the Philippines to support our growing defense industry” said Brawner, signaling Manila’s intent to expand cooperation beyond immediate acquisitions.

Brawner also highlighted plans to procure additional missile systems, warships, and fighter jets to enhance the country’s deterrence capabilities. This push comes against the backdrop of increasing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, where confrontations over maritime boundaries have intensified in recent years. The Philippines, alongside other regional players, has sought to counterbalance Beijing’s actions through strategic partnerships with nations like India, which has emerged as a key defense supplier in the Indo-Pacific region.

The BrahMos missile system, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, represents a blend of Indian and Russian technological expertise. Its deployment in the Philippines aligns with India’s broader foreign policy objectives under the “Act East” framework, which seeks to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian nations. For Manila, this partnership offers not only advanced military hardware but also the potential for capacity-building through joint exercises and technical collaboration.

Regional Implications and South China Sea Dynamics

The arrival of the BrahMos missiles in the Philippines carries significant implications for the geopolitical landscape of the South China Sea, a vital maritime corridor through which trillions of dollars in global trade pass annually. Beijing’s expansive claims over the region, often enforced through militarized artificial islands and aggressive naval patrols, have drawn international criticism and legal challenges, including a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that rejected China’s historical claims as baseless. Despite this, tensions persist, with frequent standoffs between Chinese vessels and those of claimant states like the Philippines and Vietnam.

The BrahMos system enhances Manila’s ability to defend its maritime interests, particularly in areas like the Scarborough Shoal and Spratly Islands, where Chinese presence has been a point of contention. With a range capable of covering significant portions of the West Philippine Sea, the missiles could serve as a credible counter to potential incursions, though their deployment raises questions about escalation risks. Analysts suggest that while the system strengthens deterrence, it may also prompt Beijing to further militarize its positions in the region, potentially heightening the stakes for all parties involved.

Moreover, the Philippines’ acquisition of BrahMos missiles reflects a broader trend of Southeast Asian nations modernizing their militaries in response to regional uncertainties. Indonesia and Vietnam, the other two regional operators of the BrahMos system, have similarly sought to bolster their naval and coastal defense capabilities. This collective push underscores a shared concern over maintaining freedom of navigation and upholding international maritime law in the face of unilateral actions by larger powers.

Operational and Logistical Challenges

While the arrival of the second BrahMos battery marks progress, integrating such advanced systems into the Philippine Navy’s operations poses logistical and technical challenges. Training personnel to operate and maintain the missiles, ensuring interoperability with existing defense infrastructure, and establishing secure command and control networks are critical steps that require time and resources. The shift from air to sea transport for the second delivery, as noted in Indian media reports, may also indicate adjustments in logistical planning to optimize costs or adapt to operational constraints.

The third and final batch of missiles is expected to complete the P18.9-billion (US$340 million) contract, though no specific timeline has been publicly confirmed. Once fully operational, the three batteries will significantly enhance the Philippine Navy’s shore-based anti-ship capabilities, providing a layered defense mechanism along coastal areas. However, the effectiveness of this system will depend on sustained investment in training, maintenance, and strategic deployment—areas where continued collaboration with India could prove invaluable.

Broader Defense Modernization Efforts

The BrahMos acquisition is part of a larger effort by the Philippines to modernize its armed forces under the Revised AFP Modernization Program, which aims to transition the military from internal security operations to external defense readiness. This shift is driven by the recognition that territorial and maritime disputes, particularly in the South China Sea, represent the most pressing security challenges facing the nation. In addition to missile systems, Manila has expressed interest in acquiring advanced warships and fighter jets, as articulated by Gen. Brawner during his recent engagements in India.

India, for its part, has positioned itself as a reliable partner in this modernization journey, offering not only hardware but also opportunities for technology transfer and joint production. Such initiatives could help the Philippines build a more self-reliant defense industry, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers over the long term. However, achieving these ambitions will require navigating complex budgetary constraints and bureaucratic hurdles, as well as balancing partnerships with other allies such as the United States and Japan, which also play significant roles in Manila’s security architecture.

Looking Ahead: A Delicate Balance

As the Philippines integrates the BrahMos missile system into its defense arsenal, the nation stands at a critical juncture in its quest to safeguard its maritime sovereignty. The partnership with India offers a pathway to enhanced security, but it also places Manila in a delicate position within the intricate web of South China Sea geopolitics. How the deployment of these missiles will shape regional dynamics remains an open question, with potential ramifications for both stability and escalation.

For now, the arrival of the second batch of BrahMos missiles symbolizes a tangible commitment to deterrence and a deepening of ties with a key Indo-Pacific partner. As the final delivery approaches, the focus will likely shift to operational readiness and strategic planning, with the broader goal of ensuring that the Philippines can assert its rights without provoking unnecessary conflict. In a region defined by competing interests and historical grievances, striking this balance will be no small feat.