India set to dispatch fourth BrahMos missile battery to Philippines
PTC News Desk: In a significant boost to defense exports, India is set to dispatch the fourth "battery" of the land version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines today, amid escalating tensions stemming from Chinese activities in the South China Sea.
Reports indicate that three batteries of BrahMos missiles have already been transferred to the island nation, with a fourth en route to Manila, as part of a $375 million agreement signed between the two allies in 2022. Each battery consists of four launchers, each carrying three missiles with a range of 290 km, mounted on mobile platforms to enhance their survivability as a conventional deterrent.
Given the missile's supersonic speed, it poses significant challenges to interception by both land and ship-based Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) systems.
The BrahMos deal with the Philippines has contributed to India's defense exports reaching Rs 21,083 crores in the fiscal year 2023-2024, marking a substantial 32.5 per cent year-on-year growth compared to previous years. With BrahMos boasting a proven track record, India is anticipated to secure additional orders for these supersonic missiles in the near future.
While India has made considerable strides in missile exports, the Narendra Modi government is also exploring the establishment of a joint venture between Mazagon Dockyards Limited and the French Naval Group to manufacture Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines in Mumbai, with plans to supply them to third countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia.
Currently, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan is in France to engage with the Naval Group and the Emmanuel Macron government to explore collaboration opportunities between Indian and French supply chains for the production of high-tech conventional and non-conventional sub-surface platforms in India under the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" initiative.
Gen Chauhan is expected to visit the French submarine base at Brest and possibly Toulouse to deepen bilateral defense cooperation. The French Naval Group is already in discussions with MDL for the construction of three additional Kalveri (modified Scorpene) class submarines for India.
While major powers possess nuclear-powered conventionally armed attack submarines (SSN) for deterrence and access denial, India is weighing its options. Possibilities include manufacturing SSNs for long-term maritime security or exploring alternatives such as lithium batteries, air-independent propulsion, conventional diesel-electric submarines, and underwater armed drones. These proposals are anticipated to gain traction during Modi 3.0.
- With inputs from agencies
