Manila [Philippines], April 21 (ANI): The Indo-Russian BrahMos cruise missile will be used in a simulated maritime strike by the Philippines during the ongoing Balikatan 2026 exercises with the United States, even as China warned that such military activity could fuel division and trigger confrontation in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Philippines has described the BrahMos as its “most powerful weapon in its arsenal,” according to the Philippines News Agency. Citing state officials, the report said the missile system will take part in a “simulation firing” during joint maritime strike drills in Northern Luzon, replicating real combat conditions without launching an actual missile.
“The BrahMos of the Coastal Defense Regiment of the Philippine Marines will participate during the Balikatan, but it will be only in a controlled environment. It will be simulation firing during the joint maritime strike in Northern Luzon,” the report quoted Major General Francisco Lorenzo as saying.
The Filipino major general made the remarks at a press briefing in Quezon City on Sunday ahead of the joint exercise. He added, “Its involvement will consist of a simulated firing during a maritime strike where two target vessels will be sunk in the northern part of Philippine territory—in Northern Luzon.”
“Simulation firing” refers to a scenario in which all sensors and fire-control systems are activated as in an actual strike, without any weapon being launched.
The BrahMos missile batteries, delivered to the Philippines in April 2024, are part of Manila’s efforts to strengthen coastal defense and improve deterrence in its exclusive economic zone. The system, which can be launched from land, sea, or air, travels at nearly Mach 2.8 and can carry a warhead weighing between 200 and 300 kilograms.
Compared with existing state-of-the-art subsonic cruise missiles, BrahMos has three times the velocity, 2.5 to three times the flight range, three to four times the seeker range, and nine times the kinetic energy.
Officials said the inclusion of BrahMos aligns with the Philippines’ push to enhance its anti-access and area denial capabilities, particularly in contested waters.
Balikatan, one of the largest annual joint exercises between the Philippines and the United States, has expanded this year, with more than 17,000 troops from multiple countries, including Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand.
Reacting to the drills, China’s foreign ministry expressed concern over rising military activity and warned against actions that could destabilize the region. “The world has seen enough damage done by unilateralism and abuse of military might. The last thing the Asia-Pacific needs is division and confrontation. No military cooperation should be conducted at the expense of peace, stability, and trust in the region,” the spokesperson said.
The Chinese side also cautioned countries against relying too heavily on military alliances, saying such arrangements could “backfire” and harm regional trust. “For countries that tie their own security to others, it is important to bear in mind that this may very well backfire,” Beijing said.
However, at the opening ceremony, Philippine Army General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. said, “To our allies and partners, your presence here today sends a clear and unmistakable message that security is shared and that partnership remains our strongest advantage.”
U.S. officials said the exercise is aimed at improving readiness and coordination among allies, including the Philippines, and to “forge unbreakable bonds.”
“This realistic and challenging training will not only enhance our interoperability and readiness, it will also forge unbreakable bonds of camaraderie and trust,” said Lieutenant General Christian Wortman of the U.S. Marine Corps.
The drills span air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains, along with humanitarian operations across the Philippine archipelago, and directly support the 75-year-old U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty. The 41st edition of Exercise Balikatan is scheduled to take place from April 20 to May 8. (ANI)
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