New Delhi: India and the Philippines have signed a USD 375 million deal for the sale of BrahMos supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles to the Philippines Navy, the government officials on Friday said.
The Indian team of BrahMos Aerospace in India, led by BrahMos CEO Atul D Rane, Deputy CEO Sanjeev Joshi, Lt Col R. Negi and Praveen Pathak, Chief General Manager, Market Promotion and Export for BrahMos Aerospace, witnessed the signing of the USD 375 million deal with the Philippines, news agency ANI reported.
The BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) signed the contract with the Department of National Defence of the Philippines for the supply of shore-based anti-ship missile systems.
The BAPL is a joint venture company of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The Ministry of Defence said the contract is an important step forward for the Government of India’s policy of promoting responsible defence exports.
The Philippines had earlier this month accepted BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd's to supply shore-based anti-ship missile system acquisition project for its Navy.
The procurement is projected to boost India's strategic ties with the Philippines as the island nation is focused on ramping up its naval prowess due to simmering friction with China in the South China sea.
Earlier on January 11, the Indian Navy and DRDO successfully test-fired BrahMos Supersonic Cruise missile.
BrahMos is the main weapon system of the Indian Navy warships and has been deployed on almost all of its surface platforms.
The missile flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound, according to a PTI report.