A major boost to India’s defence export plans comes with the Philippines’ acceptance of BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd’s proposal worth $374.9 million for a shore-based Anti-Ship Missile System Acquisition Project.
A Notice of Award has been communicated to BrahMos officials by the Philippine Department of National Defence. In the notice of award, BrahMos Aerospace was asked for a response within 10 days.
Recently, the Indian Navy tested a naval version of BrahMos from its destroyer INS Visakhapatnam. Both India and the Philippines signed a defence arrangement that would enable the export of defence equipment to Manila from India.
The BrahMos order is the first major military export by India. The supersonic missile has been developed jointly with Russia, with many variants planned in the future including a lighter long-range system that can be launched from aircraft and submarines.
Many countries in the neighborhood, including the UAE, have shown interest in the missile system offered by India. The defence ministry has been actively promoting exports, with defence minister Rajnath Singh making it a point to talk about a variety of equipment on offer during bilateral talks with friendly countries.
