MANILA — The Philippines is reportedly considering acquiring up to nine additional BrahMos coastal anti-ship missile batteries from India, in a major expansion of its maritime defence capabilities amid growing tensions with China in the South China Sea.
The reported plan would significantly expand Manila’s existing BrahMos capability. The Philippines previously signed a deal worth about $375 million for three BrahMos shore-based missile batteries, making it the first export customer for the India-Russia jointly developed supersonic cruise missile system.
According to recent defence reports, the additional systems could be acquired under the Philippines’ Integrated Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile System programme. If implemented at the reported scale, the deployment would create a more widely distributed coastal missile network across the archipelago.
The BrahMos is designed to provide long-range precision anti-ship capability. The Philippine export configuration has a reported range of around 290 kilometres, allowing mobile launch units to threaten hostile surface vessels approaching key maritime areas.
Strengthening deterrence
The proposed expansion comes as Manila faces increasing confrontations with Beijing in the South China Sea, particularly around disputed areas such as Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal.
Rather than attempting to match China’s much larger navy ship-for-ship, the Philippines is increasingly focusing on a distributed coastal defence strategy. Mobile missile batteries can be dispersed across different locations, potentially making them more difficult to locate and neutralise while creating greater risks for hostile naval forces.
The reported acquisition would also complement the Philippines’ broader military modernisation programme and its efforts to strengthen external defence capabilities.
A boost for India’s defence exports
A large follow-on order would be significant for BrahMos Aerospace, the India-Russia joint venture behind the missile. The Philippines was the system’s first international customer, and additional orders would further establish BrahMos as an important Indian defence export in the Indo-Pacific.
However, there is currently no public confirmation of a final contract for nine additional batteries. Philippine officials have indicated interest in acquiring more BrahMos systems, but the exact number, funding and delivery schedule remain subject to negotiations and government approval.
If Manila ultimately proceeds with the full reported acquisition, the move could substantially strengthen its ability to deter Chinese maritime coercion and protect strategically important waters—while deepening defence cooperation between India and the Philippines.
