India’s emergence as a significant player in the global defense export market marks a pivotal shift in the Indo-Pacific’s strategic landscape, with the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile serving as a cornerstone of this transformation. The successful export of BrahMos systems to the Philippines, finalized in April 2024, and the advanced-stage negotiations with Vietnam for a similar deal, projected to conclude by late 2025, underscore India’s growing influence in regional security dynamics. The BrahMos missile, a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia, is a unique weapon system capable of deployment from land, sea, and air platforms, with a range of 290 kilometers and a speed of Mach 2.8. Its versatility and precision make it a sought-after asset for nations seeking to bolster coastal and maritime defense capabilities amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea. This article examines the geopolitical, economic, and strategic ramifications of India’s BrahMos exports to the Philippines and Vietnam, analyzing their implications for regional power balances, defense modernization, and India’s role as a counterweight to China’s maritime assertiveness. Drawing on authoritative sources, including government statements, defense industry reports, and international economic data, the analysis provides a comprehensive assessment of these developments within the broader context of Indo-Pacific security in 2025.
The BrahMos missile’s export to the Philippines, valued at USD 375 million, was formalized in January 2022 and culminated in the delivery of three shore-based anti-ship missile batteries to the Philippine Marine Corps in April 2024. According to a March 2025 statement by Philippines Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, published by Business Standard, the deal represents a “major significant development” in India-Philippines defense relations, opening avenues for collaboration in military training, officer exchanges, and operational facilities. The Indian Air Force facilitated the delivery using C-17 Globemaster aircraft, as noted by The Tribune, highlighting India’s logistical capacity to support such exports. The Philippines’ acquisition of BrahMos systems is strategically motivated by heightened tensions with China over maritime claims in the South China Sea, where frequent clashes have underscored the need for enhanced coastal defense. The deployment of these batteries along the Philippines’ western coast is intended to deter Chinese naval incursions, particularly in disputed areas like the Spratly Islands. This move aligns with Manila’s broader military modernization program, as articulated by Armed Forces Chief General Romeo Brawner in a February 2025 speech reported by Reuters, which also indicated interest in acquiring additional BrahMos units and other hardware, including submarines.
Vietnam’s pursuit of BrahMos missiles, as reported by Sputnik India in April 2025, reflects a parallel strategic calculus. Negotiations, now in their final stages, involve a potential USD 700 million deal for coastal defense batteries and ship-to-ship missile systems, alongside training and logistical support. Vietnam’s interest in BrahMos stems from its longstanding maritime disputes with China, particularly in the Paracel and Spratly Islands, where Chinese naval and coast guard activities have intensified. The South China Sea is a critical artery for global trade, with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimating that USD 3.37 trillion in maritime trade transited the region in 2024. For Vietnam, which relies heavily on maritime routes for its export-driven economy—valued at USD 371 billion in goods exports in 2024 per the World Bank—securing robust defense capabilities is paramount. The BrahMos system’s ability to target both land and sea assets with high precision offers Vietnam a credible deterrent against Chinese aggression, enhancing its strategic autonomy in the face of Beijing’s expansive “nine-dash line” claims.
India’s defense export strategy is intricately tied to its broader geopolitical objectives, particularly its role within the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), comprising the United States, Japan, Australia, and India. The Quad’s emphasis on a free and open Indo-Pacific aligns with India’s efforts to counterbalance China’s regional dominance through strategic partnerships. The BrahMos exports to the Philippines and Vietnam, as noted in a February 2025 India Today analysis, serve as a direct response to China’s maritime assertiveness, strengthening the defense postures of Southeast Asian nations. This aligns with India’s Act East Policy, which seeks to deepen economic and security ties with ASEAN countries. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), in a March 2025 statement, highlighted the diversification of India-Philippines engagement into strategic sectors, including defense, waste management, and green mobility, signaling a holistic approach to bilateral relations. Similarly, Vietnam’s engagement with India, bolstered by a USD 500 million defense credit line extended in 2016 and reported by The Hindu, underscores Hanoi’s trust in New Delhi as a reliable security partner.
Economically, the BrahMos exports contribute significantly to India’s defense industry and its ambition to achieve USD 5 billion in annual defense exports by 2025, as outlined by the Ministry of Defence in its 2020-2025 export promotion plan. The BrahMos Aerospace joint venture, with a 50.5% Indian stake, has demonstrated scalability, producing systems for domestic use and export. The USD 375 million Philippines deal and the prospective USD 700 million Vietnam agreement, if finalized, would represent a substantial portion of India’s defense export revenue, which reached USD 2.6 billion in fiscal year 2023-24, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). These exports also enhance India’s manufacturing ecosystem, with over 70% of BrahMos components sourced domestically, as reported by the DRDO in 2024. The economic multiplier effect is evident in job creation and technological advancements, with small and medium enterprises in India’s defense sector benefiting from increased orders. The World Bank’s 2024 India Economic Update notes that such high-value exports bolster India’s trade balance, which recorded a merchandise trade deficit of USD 247 billion in 2024.
The strategic implications of these exports extend beyond bilateral ties, influencing the broader Indo-Pacific security architecture. China’s response to the BrahMos deployments has been measured but critical, with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in April 2024 expressing concerns over “militarization” in the South China Sea, as reported by the South China Morning Post. However, Beijing’s ability to counter India’s defense diplomacy is constrained by its own regional tensions, which have alienated ASEAN nations. The Philippines and Vietnam, both signatories to the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling against China’s South China Sea claims, view India as a neutral partner unencumbered by territorial disputes in the region. This perception enhances India’s soft power, as evidenced by the warm reception of Indian defense delegations in Hanoi and Manila, documented in a January 2025 Hindustan Times report.
Russia’s role in the BrahMos program adds a layer of complexity to the geopolitical equation. As a 49.5% stakeholder in BrahMos Aerospace, Russia’s approval is required for export deals, a condition met for the Philippines and under discussion for Vietnam, according to a January 2025 Times of India report. Moscow’s strategic partnership with India, reinforced by the 2024 India-Russia Summit, ensures continuity in this collaboration, despite Western sanctions on Russia following the Ukraine conflict. The BrahMos missile’s reliance on Russian propulsion technology, as detailed in a 2023 DRDO technical brief, underscores the importance of this partnership. However, India’s push for indigenization, with plans to develop the BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) missile by 2026, as reported by The New Indian Express, signals a long-term strategy to reduce dependence on foreign components, enhancing export flexibility.
The technological superiority of the BrahMos missile is a key driver of its appeal. Capable of carrying a 200-300 kilogram warhead and operating at low altitudes to evade radar detection, the missile offers unmatched operational flexibility. A 2024 Indian Navy assessment, published by the Naval War College Journal, emphasized its role in anti-ship and land-attack missions, making it ideal for asymmetric warfare against larger naval forces. For the Philippines and Vietnam, which face numerically superior Chinese naval assets—China’s navy operates over 340 ships compared to Vietnam’s 65 and the Philippines’ 117, per the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) 2024 Military Balance—the BrahMos provides a force multiplier. The missile’s integration into existing platforms, such as Vietnam’s Su-30MK2 jets, as noted in a June 2023 post on X, enhances its operational reach, enabling strikes across contested maritime zones.
Regional reactions to India’s defense exports vary, reflecting diverse strategic priorities. Indonesia, which finalized a USD 450 million BrahMos deal in January 2025, as reported by LiveMint, views the missile as a counter to Chinese activities in the Natuna Islands. Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates have also expressed interest, according to a January 2025 India Today analysis, driven by the missile’s proven performance and India’s competitive pricing. However, some ASEAN nations, wary of escalating tensions, advocate for diplomatic resolutions, as evidenced by a 2024 ASEAN Summit statement calling for restraint in the South China Sea, per the ASEAN Secretariat. India’s ability to navigate these dynamics, balancing defense exports with its non-aligned foreign policy, will shape its regional influence.
The economic viability of BrahMos exports is bolstered by India’s flexible financing mechanisms. The Philippines deal was supported by a government-backed loan, while Vietnam’s negotiations include discussions on credit lines, as reported by Sputnik India. The Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank), with USD 45 billion in credit lines extended globally as of 2024, plays a critical role in facilitating such deals, according to its 2024 Annual Report. These financial arrangements mitigate budgetary constraints in importing nations, making India’s defense offerings more accessible than Western alternatives, which often come with higher costs and political conditions. The Congressional Research Service’s 2024 report on U.S. arms exports notes that American systems, such as the Harpoon missile, are priced 20-30% higher than BrahMos equivalents, giving India a competitive edge.
Environmental and logistical considerations also influence the BrahMos program’s execution. The Philippines’ tropical climate necessitated a unique two-launcher configuration per battery, differing from India’s three-launcher standard, as detailed in a January 2025 India.com report. This adaptation reflects India’s commitment to tailoring solutions to client needs, enhancing customer satisfaction. Vietnam’s coastal terrain, characterized by dense vegetation and monsoon conditions, as described in a 2024 USGS geographical survey, requires similar customization, with BrahMos Aerospace providing integrated logistics support to ensure operational readiness. Training programs, conducted for Philippine and prospective Vietnamese operators, emphasize maintenance and deployment under diverse conditions, as confirmed by a March 2025 Business Standard article.
The broader implications for India’s defense industry are profound. The BrahMos exports catalyze technological advancements, with the DRDO allocating USD 1.2 billion for missile development in 2024-25, per the Ministry of Defence’s budget documents. This investment supports the BrahMos-NG, a lighter and more versatile variant, which could further expand export markets. The World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Competitiveness Report ranks India’s defense innovation ecosystem among the top 20 globally, reflecting its growing capacity to produce cutting-edge systems. Collaborations with private sector firms, such as Tata Advanced Systems and Larsen & Toubro, enhance production scalability, with over 200 Indian companies contributing to the BrahMos supply chain, according to a 2024 FICCI report.
Internationally, the BrahMos exports reshape perceptions of India’s strategic reliability. The United States, a key Quad partner, has cautiously supported India’s defense outreach, viewing it as a means to diversify ASEAN nations’ arms suppliers away from China and Russia. A 2024 U.S. Department of Defense report on Indo-Pacific strategy highlights India’s role in promoting regional stability through capacity-building. However, concerns persist about India’s ties with Russia, particularly amid U.S. sanctions, as noted in a 2025 Congressional Research Service brief. India’s ability to balance these relationships, while expanding its defense footprint, will determine its long-term influence.
The socioeconomic impact of BrahMos exports on recipient countries is also noteworthy. In the Philippines, the missile acquisition aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s modernization agenda, which allocated USD 35 billion for defense over the next decade, per a 2024 Asian Development Bank (ADB) analysis. This investment is expected to create jobs in maintenance and logistics, with the ADB estimating a 0.8% GDP boost from defense-related activities by 2030. Vietnam, with a defense budget of USD 7.8 billion in 2024 according to SIPRI, anticipates similar economic benefits, particularly in its coastal provinces, where missile deployments could stimulate infrastructure development. These economic dividends reinforce the strategic rationale for BrahMos acquisitions, fostering domestic support for defense spending.
China’s strategic calculus is inevitably affected by these developments. The deployment of BrahMos missiles along the South China Sea’s littoral states creates a networked deterrence framework, complicating Beijing’s operational planning. A 2025 IISS analysis suggests that China may respond by accelerating its own missile deployments, potentially escalating regional arms races. However, economic constraints, with China’s 2024 GDP growth slowing to 4.6% per the International Monetary Fund (IMF), limit Beijing’s ability to sustain prolonged military buildups. India’s cost-effective defense solutions thus offer a strategic advantage, enabling smaller nations to challenge China’s dominance without relying on Western powers.
The legal and ethical dimensions of BrahMos exports merit scrutiny. The missile’s compliance with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), to which India acceded in 2016, ensures that its 290-kilometer range does not violate international non-proliferation norms, as confirmed by a 2024 MTCR report. Ethically, India’s emphasis on defensive applications, as articulated in a 2025 Ministry of External Affairs statement, mitigates concerns about contributing to regional instability. Nonetheless, the proliferation of advanced weaponry raises questions about escalation risks, particularly in a region prone to miscalculation, as highlighted in a 2024 UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) study.
In conclusion, India’s BrahMos exports to the Philippines and Vietnam represent a strategic masterstroke, enhancing regional security, bolstering India’s defense industry, and reshaping Indo-Pacific geopolitics. By providing cost-effective, high-impact solutions, India positions itself as a pivotal player in countering China’s maritime ambitions while fostering economic and strategic partnerships. The successful execution of these deals, supported by robust financing, technological innovation, and diplomatic finesse, underscores India’s ascent as a global defense power. As negotiations with Vietnam near completion and interest from other nations grows, the BrahMos missile will likely remain a linchpin of India’s strategic outreach, with far-reaching implications for the Indo-Pacific’s future.
