New Delhi:

India will deliver the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines on Friday, more than two years after signing a $375 million weapons system supply deal with the Philippines, people familiar with the matter said.

They said an Indian Air Force military transport plane was likely to transport the missiles and launchers to the Philippines before delivering them to the country’s marines.

In January 2022, India signed an agreement with the Philippines to provide three sets of missiles.

This will be India’s first export of BrahMos missiles.

Several other countries, including Argentina, have also shown interest in procuring BrahMos missiles from India.

BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited is an Indo-Russian joint venture that produces supersonic cruise missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land platforms.

The BrahMos missile flies at Mach 2.8, which is almost three times the speed of sound.

India has been considering further expanding defense ties with the Philippines amid growing global concerns about China’s growing military assertiveness in the South China Sea.

Global concerns are growing over China’s sweeping claims to the entire South China Sea, a huge source of hydrocarbons.

Several countries in the region, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei, have filed counterclaims.

As part of efforts to strengthen military ties with the Philippines, India has decided to send a military attache to the country as well as Ethiopia, Mozambique, Poland and Ivory Coast. PTI MPB KVK KVK