Philippines Nears $800M BrahMos Missile Deal With India

India is in advanced negotiations to sell the Philippines additional BrahMos supersonic cruise missile systems in a deal potentially worth up to $800 million, as Manila seeks to strengthen its coastal defenses amid tensions with China in the South China Sea.

Three sources familiar with the negotiations told Reuters that the two countries are in the final stages of discussions.

The proposed agreement could include approximately five BrahMos systems and nearly 60 missiles, with an estimated value of $700 million to $800 million.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro confirmed Manila's interest in acquiring additional BrahMos units during the Delhi Defence Dialogue on November 4.

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Teodoro said the Philippines had submitted a list of requirements to Indian authorities to adapt the systems to local operational conditions, including transportation challenges across the country's more than 7,600 islands.

The potential agreement would significantly exceed the $375 million contract signed in 2022, under which the Philippines became the first foreign buyer of the Indian-Russian missile system.

India is nearing completion of deliveries under that agreement.

The BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India and Russia, with variants designed for launch from land, sea and air platforms.

Manila is expanding its coastal defense network as confrontations with Chinese vessels continue in disputed areas of the South China Sea.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has previously expressed interest in purchasing additional BrahMos missiles.

The proposed deal has not yet been finalized, and Indian authorities have not publicly confirmed its value or the number of systems involved.