New Delhi: The Philippines is planning to expand its BrahMos missile purchases from India and has shared a list of requested modifications to suit its geographical and operational needs. The move could strengthen India’s defence partnership with the Philippines while improving Manila’s coastal defence capabilities amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.
Philippines Wants More BrahMos Missile Systems From India
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. announced the country’s interest in purchasing additional BrahMos supersonic cruise missile systems during the 3rd Delhi Defence Dialogue on November 4, 2026.
Speaking through a video conference, Teodoro said that the Philippines wants to increase the number of BrahMos units it operates. He also confirmed that Manila has shared a wish list with Indian authorities to make the missile system better suited to Philippine conditions.
The proposed changes are expected to address the country’s geographical challenges, transportation difficulties and military requirements.
India-Philippines BrahMos Deal: Why Does The Philippines Want Customised BrahMos Missiles
The Philippines has unique geographical conditions that create challenges for transporting and operating heavy military equipment.
The country consists of more than 7,600 islands. Its road networks, bridges and transportation infrastructure also create difficulties when moving large military systems between different locations.
According to Teodoro, the Philippines wants modifications that will make the BrahMos system more suitable for its local environment.
The country is particularly interested in improving the system’s operational flexibility and making its deployment easier across different coastal locations. However, the exact technical modifications requested by the Philippines have not been officially disclosed.
Philippines Could Purchase Five More BrahMos Systems
According to a Reuters report published on November 5, 2026, the Philippines could purchase approximately five additional BrahMos systems.
The proposed acquisition could include nearly 60 missiles, with an estimated contract value of $700 million to $800 million. However, these figures are reported estimates and have not been confirmed through an official government contract announcement.If completed, the potential deal would be significantly larger than the Philippines’ first BrahMos purchase from India.
Details of Recent India-Philippines BrahMos Deal
In January 2022, India and the Philippines signed a $375 million contract for the supply of the BrahMos Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile System.
The agreement was signed between BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited and the Philippine Department of National Defense.
Under the agreement, the Philippines agreed to purchase three missile batteries for its coastal defence requirements.
The contract marked an important milestone in India’s defence export programme, as the Philippines became the first foreign customer to purchase the BrahMos missile system.
The missile system is designed to strengthen coastal defence and help the Philippine military respond to potential maritime threats. India confirmed the agreement through its Ministry of Defence in January 2022.
FAQs
According to Reuters, the Philippines could purchase approximately five additional BrahMos systems, potentially involving nearly 60 missiles. The estimated deal value is $700 million to $800 million, but the figures are not officially confirmed.
The Philippines wants additional BrahMos missiles to strengthen its coastal defence, improve maritime security and protect its territorial interests amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.
The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile can travel at approximately Mach 2.8, or nearly three times the speed of sound, depending on the missile variant and flight conditions.
