India has delivered a potent strategic blow to China’s ambitions in the South China Sea by supplying the Philippines with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. This significant defense export deal, valued at $375 million, marks India’s first major venture into exporting advanced missile technology and is perceived as a direct response to Beijing’s assertive regional presence. The BrahMos, renowned for its ‘ship killer’ capabilities, can neutralize enemy vessels with unprecedented speed and efficiency.
The Philippines has acquired three shore-based anti-ship BrahMos missile batteries. These systems are designed to provide a formidable coastal defense, capable of striking targets up to 290 kilometers away. This acquisition significantly enhances the Philippines’ ability to deter and defend its territorial waters against incursions. Defense analysts suggest this move is part of a broader Indian strategy to build a coalition of nations in the Indo-Pacific committed to containing China’s growing naval power and territorial claims.
The deployment of these advanced missile systems means Chinese naval and coast guard vessels operating in contested waters now face a serious and immediate threat. Previously, China has been accused of aggressive maritime behavior in the South China Sea. The BrahMos missiles, with their supersonic speed and destructive power, are expected to drastically alter the risk calculus for any Chinese vessels operating near Philippine territory. Deliveries of the missiles and associated equipment began in April 2024, with subsequent batches arriving to complete the defensive network.