Eyeing intel on Chinese movements, Indian Army allows winter grazing along LAC

New Delhi: India on Friday delivered the first batch of supersonic BrahMos missile system to the Philippines, marking the first-ever export of such weaponry to another nation.

This development follows a deal inked between the two countries two years and four months ago, securing three batteries of the BrahMos missile systems valued at approximately USD 375 million. The agreement was finalized in January 2022.

Transported via an Indian Air Force's C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, the missile system arrived at Clark Airbase in the Philippines earlier today.

Asianet Newsable reached out to experts to gain insights into the significance of exporting the BrahMos system.

Dr Pooja Bhatt, a maritime scholar, told Asianet Newsable, "The timely delivery of the Brahmos missile makes India a reliable defence partner of like-minded countries that are seeking to bolster their security."

“With the South China Sea situation between China and the Philippines heating up, Brahmos missile adds to Manila’s much needed coastal defence. But more importantly, it sends the strategic signal to Beijing that Manila has support from several countries including India on the South China Sea issue,” Dr Pooja Bhatt added.

It's worth noting that Beijing has consistently escalated tensions with the Philippines, prompting Manila to bolster its military capabilities by acquiring the BrahMos missile system.

In January 2023, at the BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited facility in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India provided training to 21 marine personnel from the Philippines on operating the systems. Following the conclusion of the training, Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar awarded them interim missile badges and pins.

Another maritime expert and Assistant Professor at the Amity University’s Department of Defence and Strategy Dr Aprajita Pandey said, “It is imperative that countries in the South China Sea build their military capabilities. China is expanding its influence in the Indo-Pacific and whole countries like Australia, India, and the US are taking cognizance of this attempt towards expansion. The countries which are sharing greater physical proximity with China stand to lose the most in Beijing's ambition towards growth.”

“The supply of the BrahMos system to the Philippines is a key event when it comes to countries in the region trying to build their arsenal. While it is clear that a singular move will not bridge the gap between Chinese and Pilipino military capacity, it does however bring in the aspect of mutual deterrence. This concept of mutually assured destruction because of the Philippines acquiring the BrahMos gives it greater leverage against China,” Dr Aprajita Pandey added.

Also read: Sweets on the tarmac as India delivers first batch of BrahMos cruise missiles to Philippines (WATCH)

The Philippines has already activated its first shore-based anti-ship missile battalion (SBASMB), a specialized unit within the Coastal Defense Regiment assigned to operate BrahMos missiles.

With the receipt of BrahMos missile systems, the Philippines has made history as the first nation to acquire this system developed through the joint venture between India and Russia.

The agreement between New Delhi and Manila was finalized in response to reported belligerent actions and strategic expansions by China in the South China Sea.

Additionally, New Delhi is engaged in discussions with Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and several other nations including the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Interest in the system has also been expressed by Latin American countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.

What does the BrahMos missile system boast of?

The BrahMos system delivered to the Philippines boasts a range of 290 kilometers and an impressive speed of 2.8 Mach, equivalent to three times the speed of sound.

BrahMos stands as a highly advanced supersonic cruise missile, capable of deployment from various platforms including land, submarines, ships, and aircraft.

• Defence
• Brahmos
• Brahmos missile

India on Friday delivered the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines. The two countries had signed a deal worth USD 375 million in 2022. Indian officials were seen distributing sweets after the special aircraft landed in the Philippines. 

Two heavy lift transport aircraft from the Indian Air Force, supported by civil aviation agencies, transported equipment to the western part of the Philippines in a non-stop six-hour journey. This effort follows a defense export deal signed in 2022, where India agreed to supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missile systems to the Philippines, marking India's first major defense export order to the country. 

The deal, valued at USD 374.96 million (Rs 2,700 crore), includes three batteries of BrahMos missile systems, which have a range of 290 kilometers and a speed of 2.8 Mach. Training for operators and integrated logistics support are also part of the agreement. 

In 2023, 21 personnel from the Philippines Navy received training at BrahMos’ Nagpur facility in Maharashtra, with Admiral R Hari Kumar awarding interim missile badges and pins upon completion. 

The Philippines Navy's efforts aim to bolster its naval capabilities in response to China's assertive actions in the South China Sea, where territorial disputes persist. The BrahMos missile, developed through collaboration between India and Russia, can be launched from various platforms and is undergoing a localization process for 83% of its components. 

Additionally, other Southeast Asian nations such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia have shown interest in acquiring the BrahMos supersonic missile system, with negotiations at advanced stages.

• BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles
• India
• Indian Air Force
• Philippines
• Russia
• South China Sea
• Southeast Asia
• civil aviation agencies
• defense export
• heavy lift transport aircraft
• localization
• naval capabilities
• negotiations
• territorial disputes

New Delhi: The government on Friday appointed senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Nalin Prabhat as the chief of National Security Guard (NSG), the country's counter-terrorism force.

A 1992-batch Andhra Pradesh cadre IPS officer Nalin Prabhat, is currently serving as the Additional Director General in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved his appointment as the Director General, NSG for a period up to August 31, 2028 i.e. the date of his superannuation," a government order read.

Also known as the "Black Cats", the federal contingency force NSG was raised in 1984.

Prior to Prabhat's appointment, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) chief Daljit Singh Chawdhary was having the additional charge of the NSG.

Here's all you need to know about NSG's new chief Nalin Prabhat

Before this role, Nalin Prabhat dedicated approximately 17 years to the CRPF, serving in various capacities such as deputy inspector-general and inspector general. He also spent three years until 2006 with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) as a commandant.

The ITBP's responsibilities include guarding the borders with Tibet and Bhutan.

During his tenure in Andhra Pradesh, he managed the law and order situation in three districts—Karimnagar, Cuddapa, and Warangal—before transitioning to central deputation as the deputy director-general of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) in July 2004.

A graduate from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, Nalin Prabhat began his career in the police service in 1992.

Throughout his 32-year police service career, he has earned numerous awards, including the Police Medal for Gallantry (with 2nd bar), Parakram Padam, Antrik Suraksha Seva Padak (Andhra Pradesh), Antrik Suraksha Seva Padak (Jammu & Kashmir), Police (Special Duty) Medal and Bar (Jammu & Kashmir), and Police Medal for Meritorious Service.

• Defence
• NSG
• National Security Guard
• Nalin Prabhat
• IPS

Senior Indian Navy officer Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi has been named as the next Chief of the Naval Staff. He will succeed Admiral R Hari Kumar, who is scheduled to superannuate on April 30. An alumnus of Sainik School Rewa and National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, the Admiral was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1985. 

A Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist, he served on frontline warships of the Navy as a Signal Communication Officer and Electronic Warfare Officer, and later as the Executive Officer and Principal Warfare Officer of the Guided Missile Destroyer INS Mumbai. He commanded Indian naval ships Vinash, Kirch and Trishul. 

He has also held various important operational and staff appointments which include Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet at Mumbai, Director of Naval Operations, Principal Director Network Centric Operations and Principal Director of Naval Plans at New Delhi. On promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, he served as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans) at NHQ and as the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. 

On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral in Jun 2019, the Flag Officer was appointed as Commandant of the prestigious Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala, Kerala. He was the Director General of Naval Operations from July 2020 to May 2021, a period that witnessed a high tempo of Naval Maritime Operations. 

He ensured that the Navy remained a 'Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Proof Force, ready to address a host of complex security challenges despite the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, from June 2021 to February 2023, the Flag Officer served as the Chief of Personnel. The Admiral is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, where he was awarded the Thimmaiya Medal. 

He also attended the Naval Higher Command Course and Naval Command College at the US Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Islands in 2007-08, where he won the prestigious Robert E Bateman International Prize. 

Vice Admiral Tripathi is a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Nausena Medal for devotion to duty. He is also a keen sportsman and avidly follows tennis, badminton, and cricket. The Flag Officer is a keen student of international relations, military history and the art & science of leadership. He is married to Shashi Tripathi, an artist and homemaker. The couple have one son, a practising lawyer, who is married to Tanya, who works in the policy-making domain.

• Awards and recognition
• Chief of the Naval Staff
• Command appointments
• Defence Services Staff College
• Dinesh Kumar Tripathi
• Ezhimala
• Guided Missile Destroyer
• INS Kirch
• INS Mumbai
• INS Trishul
• INS Vinash
• Indian Naval Academy
• Indian Navy
• Interest in international relations
• Kerala
• Naval career
• Navy Chief
• New Indian Navy Chief
• Operational roles
• Sports enthusiast
• Staff positions
• Thimmaiya Medal
• leadership
• military history