The
Philippines has approved a $374 million (Rs 2,770 crore) contract for the
shore-based anti-ship BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system from India.

BrahMos, an
Indian-Russian joint venture, had proposed to the Philippines government for
the supply of the missiles for the country’s navy, PTI reported quoting
sources. Their proposal for the $374 million deal was accepted last month,
making this the first order for the supersonic missiles.

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The BrahMos
supersonic cruise missiles can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or
from a land platform. India has already deployed a sizable number of the
Brahmos missiles and other key assets in several strategic locations along the
Line of Actual Control with China in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

The
Philippines’ purchase comes amid tensions with China over territorial claims in
the South China Sea in recent months. India has also been increased military
engagements with ASEAN countries through combat exercises, training programmes
and now arms sales in an attempt to keep China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific
region under check.

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A number of
other countries have expressed interest in purchasing the BrahMos missile system,
with negotiations in advanced stages with Indonesia and Vietnam, according to a
report in The Hindu.

A “notice
of award’ has been issued by the Philippines’ Department of National Defence to
BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd.

“This is to
inform you that the proposal of BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd. For the shore
based anti-ship missile system acquisition project for the Philippine Navy,
with a corresponding price proposal in the amount of $374,962,800 is hereby
accepted,” the department said in a letter posted on their official website.

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“You are
hereby directed to provide, within 10 calendar days from receipt of this
notice, the performance security in the form and amount stipulated in the terms
of reference.”

The
Philippines will acquire at least three batteries of the BrahMos cruise
missiles, which has a range of 290 kilometres and flies at nearly thrice the
speed of sound at Mach 2.8.