India and the Philippines are reportedly closing in on a much larger BrahMos missile package that could include about five systems and nearly 60 missiles. The information was attributed to three sources with direct knowledge of the matter, who spoke to Reuters on 5 November 2026. If concluded, the purchase would be significantly bigger than the Philippines’ earlier $375 million (PHP 18.9 billion) agreement signed in January 2022 for three shore-based anti-ship missile batteries for the Philippine Marine Corps.
What has been reported so far
One Indian source told Reuters that “Manila has shown interest again to procure about 5 systems of the BrahMos and they now view India as a very reliable partner.” The report also said New Delhi is close to finishing deliveries under the 2022 contract. The first battery reached the Philippines by air in April 2024, the second arrived by sea in April 2025, and the third is expected to be delivered soon to complete the deal.
Philippine Defence Ministry spokesperson Arsenio Andolong told Reuters that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed a desire to buy additional BrahMos missiles, but he did not give more details. Separately, Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said virtually at the Delhi Defence Dialogue on 5 November 2026 that the Philippines hopes to increase the number of BrahMos units in service.
Philippine requirements and operational context
Teodoro said Manila has already shared a “wish list” with Indian officials to adapt the system more closely to Philippine conditions. He said the adaptation would need to account for road and bridge infrastructure, as well as the practical challenges of operating across an archipelago.
The reported acquisition fits into the Philippines’ wider military modernisation programme and its efforts to strengthen coastal defences amid continuing tensions in the South China Sea. Manila has been trying to build stronger anti-access/area-denial and sea-control capabilities while dealing with overlapping territorial claims with China.
About BrahMos
BrahMos is a joint system developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. The report described it as one of the world’s fastest operational supersonic cruise missiles. It can be launched from land, sea and air platforms, cruises at about Mach 2.8–3, and carries a conventional warhead in the 200–300 kg range.
The export version supplied to the Philippines is the shore-based anti-ship variant. The report said it is consistent with Missile Technology Control Regime guidelines, with the original export version typically cited at around 290 km range.
Why the deal matters
The Philippines was the first foreign customer for BrahMos. If a follow-on order of this scale is finalised, it would expand India’s defence exports and deepen bilateral defence cooperation, while also making Manila a larger operator of the missile system. Reuters said it was the first to disclose the reported size and value of the prospective deal. However, neither government has publicly confirmed the final terms or the timeline of the negotiations.
