India nears $800 million Brahmos missile deal with Philippines as Manila seeks 60 more missiles

New Delhi: India is in final-stage negotiations with the Philippines for a second Brahmos supersonic cruise missile agreement potentially worth $700 million to $800 million, involving five additional systems and nearly 60 missiles. The proposed acquisition, substantially larger than Manila’s original $375 million contract, comes amid efforts to strengthen coastal defences against growing maritime security challenges in the South China Sea.

Three sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations said discussions were nearing completion, Reuters reported on Thursday. “Manila has shown interest again to procure about 5 systems of the Brahmos and they now view India as a very reliable partner,” an Indian source told the news agency.

India is approaching completion of deliveries under the $375 million agreement signed in January 2022, which made the Philippines Brahmos’ first foreign customer. The contract covered three batteries of shore-based anti-ship missiles for the Philippine marine corps, strengthening Manila’s ability to defend its coastline and surrounding waters.

The Philippines has publicly confirmed its interest in additional systems. The defence department spokesman, Arsenio Andolong, told Reuters that the president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, wanted to acquire more Brahmos missiles but declined to provide procurement details.

Philippine defence secretary, Gilberto Teodoro, also raised the issue during his virtual address at the Delhi defence dialogue on Wednesday. He said Manila had submitted a wish list to Indian authorities seeking modifications suited to the country’s operational requirements and maritime environment.

The negotiations form part of Manila’s broader military modernization programme as confrontations involving Philippine and Chinese vessels continue in disputed South China Sea waters. Additional shore-based anti-ship systems would expand the Philippines’ coastal defence capabilities across its widely dispersed islands.

Brahmos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. Its high-speed precision-strike capability and deployment from multiple platforms have made it an important component of India’s maritime and military modernization programmes.

India’s Brahmos export partnerships have expanded beyond the Philippines, with a supply agreement signed with Vietnam in May and an Indonesian missile supply arrangement announced in July 2026. The growing Southeast Asian market could push Brahmos exports beyond $600 million, RNA Media reported in October, citing the defence secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh.

The Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia have consequently emerged as the missile system’s first three foreign customers, while discussions continue with prospective buyers including the UAE, Thailand, South Africa and Brazil.

International interest has also grown following India’s reported first combat use of Brahmos during the four-day military confrontation with Pakistan in May 2025. The system’s battlefield deployment strengthened its international profile, RNA Media reported, citing Brahmos Aerospace officials.

India’s defence exports reached a record ₹38,424 crore in 2025-26, an increase of 62.66 per cent from ₹23,622 crore the previous year, according to the defence ministry.

The proposed Philippine procurement would further expand India’s defence-industrial engagement with Southeast Asia while supporting Manila’s continuing efforts to strengthen its maritime security capabilities.