China at the end of Brahmos: How will the dragon be surrounded by this dangerous weapon of India?

Tensions are rising between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, a new deal for BrahMos missile is going to be signed between India and the Philippines. The deal could be worth around 700 to 800 million dollars (around Rs 6,200 to 7,100 crores). Under this, the Philippines can buy about 5 BrahMos missile systems and about 60 missiles. Negotiations between the two countries are in the final stages. The deal comes at a time when the Philippines is ramping up military strength to protect its maritime borders. In such a situation, India’s Brahmos missile can become a new challenge for China. 1

1. What is the new deal between India and the Philippines?

According to the report, the proposed deal could involve around 5 BrahMos systems and 60 missiles. Its cost is estimated at 700 to 800 million dollars. Philippine Defense Ministry spokesman Arsenio Andolong said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed his desire to purchase additional BrahMos missiles.

At the same time, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, participating online in the Delhi Defense Dialogue on November 4, said his country wants to buy more missile systems from India. For this, a list of its requirements has also been submitted to India, so that the system can be prepared according to the situation in the Philippines.

2. What is special about Brahmos?

BrahMos is a joint defense project of India and Russia. It is named after the Brahmaputra in India and the Moskva River in Russia. It is jointly developed by India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia.

Its main features are:

• Speed: About 2.8 Mach i.e. about 2.8 times faster than the speed of sound.
• Range: Maximum range of export version up to 290 KM.
• Warhead: It can carry up to 200 kg of conventional explosives.
• Launching: It can be launched from land, warships, submarines and fighter aircraft.
• Fire and Forget: After receiving information about the target, the missile reaches the target through its guidance system.

Due to its high speed and short flight time it can be difficult for the enemy to stop it.

3. Why are tensions rising in the South China Sea?

The South China Sea is an important maritime trade route of Asia. Apart from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also claim it. China claims a large part of this sea. At the same time, the Philippines accuses China of interfering in its maritime domain. There is a dispute between the two countries regarding Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal.

In July 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled in favor of the Philippines. The court held that China’s extensive claims regarding historic rights in the South China Sea are not valid under international maritime law. China has not accepted this decision.

In such a situation BrahMos could give the Philippines the ability to target enemy warships approaching its coastal borders. This could make it challenging for China to conduct military operations in the region. However, that does not mean that China will be completely engulfed.

4. Philippines has already got BrahMos missile

The first agreement worth $374.96 million (about Rs 3,100 crore) was signed between India and the Philippines in January 2022. Under this, India was to provide three batteries of land-launched anti-ship missiles, launchers and related equipment to the Philippines.

India sent the first shipment on 19 April 2024. He was flown to the Philippines by an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft. This was India’s first Brahmos export contract. India is now close to completing deliveries under this agreement. The new deal will take this cooperation further.

5. Why is this deal important for India?

This agreement is not limited to selling arms. This can strengthen India’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Apart from the Philippines, India is also working on supplying Brahmos to Indonesia and Vietnam. Apart from this, there are also reports of talks with countries like United Arab Emirates, Thailand, South Africa and Brazil.

It also brings financial benefits. According to the Ministry of Defence, India’s defense exports have reached Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26. Which is 62.66% more than last financial year. Thus BrahMos is strengthening India as a defense exporting country. At the same time, the Philippines is getting an option to beef up its maritime security amid growing pressure from China. This means that the deal is important for both India’s defense industry and its strategic role in the Indo-Pacific.

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