Empowering the Philippines: How the BrahMos Missile Bolsters Defense against China’s Expansionist Agenda

financialexpress.com:

By Girish Linganna

Over the course of history, the South China Sea (SCS) has been a region marked by turbulent tides, fraught with numerous disputes and assertive displays of power. However, recent years have seen an unprecedented surge in global interest surrounding these waters, as China escalates its maritime ambitions to a level that often encroaches upon the sovereignty of smaller nations, most notably the Philippines.

In response to these challenges, Manila has strategically aligned itself with New Delhi, a partnership that has manifested in the form of the BrahMos missile system. The BrahMos missile, a formidable defensive weapon, not only bolsters the Philippines’ military capabilities but also sends a profound geopolitical signal, underlining the joint commitment to safeguarding regional stability in the face of China’s growing influence in the South China Sea.

In the realm of modern missiles, the BrahMos stands out as a peerless weapon. Maintaining a blistering Mach 3 speed throughout its trajectory, it affords adversaries a significantly reduced window for response. Miguel Miranda, an aerospace and defence analyst based in the Philippines, underscores its strategic advantage, asserting, “The BrahMos, once integrated with the Philippine Marines, is poised to deter and dissuade China from encroaching on our national waters.” In a domain where seconds can dictate outcomes, this supersonic edge may be the line between deterrence and conflict.

The BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile boasts a remarkable Mach 3 speed, yielding nine times more kinetic energy than its subsonic counterparts. Reliable sources reveal the BrahMos’s ability to cover 300 kilometres in just five minutes, showcasing a reaction time far superior