Second BrahMos order from Philippines in the pipeline

**EDS: HANDOUT PHOTO MADE AVAILABLE FROM DEFENCE PRO ON THURSDAY, JAN. 20, 2022** Chandipur: BrahMos supersonic cruise missile with increased indigenous content and improved performance, successfully test-fired from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. (PTI Photo)(PTI01_20_2022_000072B) (Source: PTI)

While Philippines signed a $375 million deal for BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles last week to be operated by the Philippines Marines, there is another long pending deal under discussion for BrahMos missiles for the Philippines Army, which could see progress in the near future, according to defence and diplomatic sources.

In an ironic situation, while India has signed its biggest defence export contract with the Philippines, it does not have a full-fledged Defence Attaché (DA) at its Embassy in Manila. The proposal for increasing the number of DAs at several Indian missions abroad, including the Philippines, has been pending for sometime, at least two officials independently said.