Manila, October 28, 2025—In a bold escalation of regional deterrence, the **Philippine Army (PA)** has initiated procurement for **two land-based BrahMos supersonic cruise missile batteries**, with contract finalization expected by **June 2026**. This follows the Philippine Marine Corps’ (PMC) successful activation of three shore-based batteries in April 2025, marking the first export of India’s flagship missile system.

The deal—valued at **$500 million**—reinforces India’s growing role as a key arms supplier in the Indo-Pacific, building on the BrahMos integration with Su-30MKI and the $30,000 crore export roadmap.

Land-Based BrahMos: Specs & Strategic Fit

The **BrahMos Land-Attack Variant (LACM)** is a mobile, all-terrain system with:

• Range: 290–300 km (extendable to 450 km with 2026 upgrade)
• Speed: Mach 2.8–3.0 (3,800 km/h)
• Warhead: 200–300 kg high-explosive or submunition
• Launch Platform: 8×8 TATRA trucks (3 missiles per launcher)
• Setup Time: Under 10 minutes from march to fire
• Accuracy: CEP < 1 meter via INS + GPS + GLONASS

Unlike subsonic missiles (e.g., US Harpoon), BrahMos’ ramjet propulsion and low-altitude sea-skimming profile make it **nearly impossible to intercept** by current regional air defenses.

Philippine Army Chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido stated, “BrahMos gives us credible standoff strike—critical for defending Palawan and the Spratly approaches.”

PMC fires first BrahMos from Palawan—300km strike hits target barge, April 2025 (PN Photo)

Philippine Army’s Two-Battery Plan

The PA’s procurement includes:

• 2 Batteries: 6 launchers (18 missiles) + command post + reload vehicles
• Deployment Zones: Northern Luzon (Cagayan) and Western Command (Palawan)
• Training: 60 PA personnel already trained in India (Goa, 2025)
• Logistics: 5-year spares + BrahMos Aerospace Philippines support cell

Delivery timeline: **First battery operational by Q4 2026**, second by **Q2 2027**.

South China Sea: The Geopolitical Trigger

The order comes amid:

• China’s **militarized artificial islands** in Spratly and Paracel groups
• Repeated **incursions** into Philippine EEZ (e.g., Scarborough Shoal, 2025)
• US-Philippines **Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA)** expansion

BrahMos batteries will cover **key chokepoints**—from Balabac Strait to Luzon Strait—forcing PLAN surface groups to operate beyond 300 km, neutralizing their numerical advantage.

This mirrors India’s own deployment along the Andaman & Nicobar Command, where BrahMos protects the Malacca Strait.

BrahMos 300km arcs from Palawan and Luzon—covering Spratly approaches (DefenceNiti Analysis)

Revenue Boost for BrahMos Aerospace

The deal adds **$500M** to BrahMos Aerospace’s order book, pushing total exports past **$1.2 billion** since 2022. Breakdown:

• Philippines (PMC): $375M (2022 contract)
• Philippines (PA): $500M (2026 contract)
• Indonesia (Navy): $350M (2024, 2 batteries)

Projected **$30,000 crore ($3.6B) export target by 2026** now appears achievable, with **Vietnam, Malaysia, and UAE** in advanced talks for naval and air-launched variants.

India’s Role: Training & Tech Support

BrahMos Aerospace has established:

• Manila Support Cell: 15 Indian engineers for 10 years
• Goa Training Academy: Annual courses for 100+ foreign operators
• Local MRO: 60% spares to be sourced from Philippine firms by 2028

This model will replicate for future exports, ensuring **lifecycle sovereignty** for partners.

Next-Gen BrahMos: NG & Hypersonic on Deck

Even as land batteries deploy, R&D continues:

• BrahMos-NG: 50% lighter, 2027 launch from Su-30MKI (6 per jet)
• BrahMos-II (Hypersonic): Mach 7+, 2028 trials

These will be offered as **upgrade packages** to Philippines under follow-on contracts.

Conclusion

The Philippine Army’s BrahMos order is more than a sale—it’s a **strategic realignment**. From Goa’s assembly lines to Palawan’s coastal defenses, India’s supersonic missile is now a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific security. As China’s grey-zone tactics intensify, BrahMos delivers **instant, irreversible firepower**—a message no adversary can ignore.

Stay ahead: We’ll bring you exclusive footage from the PA’s first live-fire in Subic Bay, scheduled for August 2026.