SOURCE: AFI
The Philippines is poised to deepen its defense partnership with India, expressing keen interest in acquiring the Akash Air Defence System after the successful induction of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in 2022. This development, reported widely in early 2025, signals Manila’s intent to bolster its military capabilities amid escalating tensions with China in the South China Sea. The potential deal, valued at over $200 million, could mark India’s second major defense export to the Philippines, reinforcing bilateral ties and India’s growing stature as a global arms supplier.
The Philippines’ interest in the Akash system follows the landmark $375 million BrahMos deal, India’s largest-ever defense export, finalized in January 2022. The BrahMos, a supersonic anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia, has already enhanced the Philippine Marine Corps’ coastal defense capabilities, with deliveries commencing in April 2024. Deployed along the country’s western seaboard, the BrahMos provides Manila with a credible deterrent against maritime incursions, particularly in the contested West Philippine Sea.
Now, the Akash Air Defence System—a medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) platform developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)—has caught the attention of Philippine military planners. With a range of up to 25 kilometers, the Akash is designed to neutralize a variety of aerial threats, including fighter jets, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles. Its mobility, mounted on wheeled platforms, and ability to protect moving convoys make it an ideal complement to the BrahMos, potentially safeguarding missile batteries and key installations from air attacks.
The Akash’s proven track record adds to its appeal. Operational with the Indian Army and Air Force since 2009, the system demonstrated its prowess during the 2023 Astrashakti exercise, when a single firing unit simultaneously engaged and destroyed four unmanned aerial targets at a 25-kilometer range—a global first. This capability, coupled with its 96% indigenous content, aligns with the Philippines’ need for reliable, cost-effective solutions to counter China’s growing air and missile capabilities in the region.
The Philippines deal, expected to be finalized in the fiscal year beginning April 2025, could surpass the Armenian contract in value, though specifics on the number of missile batteries and accompanying Rajendra radars remain undisclosed. BDL’s participation in the 2024 Asian Defense and Security Exhibition in Manila likely played a role in showcasing the Akash to Philippine officials, building on the goodwill generated by the BrahMos partnership.
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