New Delhi: China's arch-enemy Philippines is now set to become the first foreign customer for the BrahMos cruise missile system jointly developed by India and Russia. The Philippines government has made an initial payment of Rs 410 crore for the BrahMos missile. According to reports, the deal was getting delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Philippines Navy had visited BrahMos Aerospace's production unit in Hyderabad earlier this month as part of the acquisition process. The missile's mechanical systems and electronic systems are assembled at the BrahMos Integration Complex in Hyderabad. In December 2019, there were reports that the Philippines is set to become the first country to buy the BrahMos missile system. The two sides were set to sign an agreement during the proposed visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in early 2021, but the pandemic has caused problems.

India had offered a line of credit of $100 million to the Philippines for this deal. India has been in talks in recent years with several Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, to sell them land and sea-based versions of the BrahMos. New Delhi has set an ambitious target of achieving defence exports of $5 billion by 2025.

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