The Philippine Marine Corps publicly unveiled its BrahMos anti-ship missile system for the first time on Friday, highlighting significant progress in its modernization efforts.
The reveal was part of a promotional video celebrating the Corps’ 75th anniversary, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., senior defense officials, and military leaders in attendance. The short video traced the service’s history and included footage of Marines rapidly mobilizing to operate the newly deployed BrahMos system, demonstrating their readiness and proficiency with the advanced supersonic cruise missiles.
The first missile battery is believed to be stationed at a military installation facing the South China Sea and is managed by the Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile Battalion.
The Philippines signed a P18.9 billion (US $375 million) deal with India’s BrahMos Aerospace in 2022 to acquire three missile batteries. “As the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missiles, the BrahMos missiles will provide deterrence against any attempt to undermine our sovereignty and sovereign rights, especially in the West Philippine Sea,” then-Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said at the time, referring to Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, which China claims almost entirely.
Manila, the first overseas customer for the BrahMos system, received its first batch of missiles last year and a second in April. The system is equipped with Inertial Navigation Systems and Global Positioning System guidance, with a range of 290 kilometers and a top speed of Mach 3.
President Marcos said in August that the Philippines is “in the process of acquiring more” missile systems from India, without providing further details. “I’ve spoken to the officers and men who operate the BrahMos system, and they say we need more,” he noted.
During the unveiling, Philippine Marine Corps Commandant Maj. Gen. Vicente Blanco III also outlined the service’s future modernization goals. “Beachhead Vision 2040 defines the Philippine Marine Corps as an always ready, specialized and highly reliable force, defender of the Philippine archipelago,” he said.
The Corps plans to invest in maritime domain awareness, resilient communications, unmanned systems, coastal defense integration, and expeditionary logistics as part of its broader modernization strategy.
