From Helpless to Armed: The Philippines’ Big Move
For years, Filipino sailors patrolling the South China Sea have faced a frustrating reality. Each time a Chinese coast guard vessel blocks their path, each time a swarm of militia boats encircles their ship, there’s little they can do but radio for help, take evasive action, and endure the humiliation of retreat. They know the pattern all too well—China pushes, the Philippines protests, and the cycle repeats. But what if, for the first time, Manila had the power to push back?
That moment is now on the horizon. In a historic deal, the Philippines is set to acquire a $200 million missile system from India, marking a major shift in its defense strategy. These aren’t just weapons; they’re a message. A message that the days of helplessly watching intrusions are numbered. A message that the Philippines is ready to defend its waters with real deterrence. And behind this deal stands another rising power—India—making its mark as a global arms supplier and strategic ally. The question is no longer whether the Philippines can fight back. The question is: How will Beijing respond when it does?
India’s $200 Million Missile Deal with the Philippines: A Strategic Game Changer
The Philippines is about to complete a $200 million missile contract with India, a major step to strengthen its defense capabilities amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. In addition to being India’s second significant defense export to Manila, this deal highlights the two countries’ growing strategic alliance, which is fueled by their mutual concerns about China’s forceful regional moves.
At the heart of this deal lies the Akash Missile System, a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Akash missile boasts the following specifications: Range of Operation: 4.5 km to 25 km, Altitude of Operation: 100 meters up to 20 km, Length: 5,870 mm, Diameter: 350 mm, Weight: 710 kg, Guidance System: Command Guidance, Target Types: Helicopters, fighter aircraft, UAVs, and more.
The system is fully automatic, ensuring a rapid response from target detection to engagement. Its open system architecture allows adaptability to both current and future air defense environments, and it is equipped with high immunity against active and passive jamming. The Akash system is mobile, capable of quick deployment, and self-sufficient with in-built power sources.
The deployment of the Akash Missile System offers the Philippines a robust defense mechanism against potential aerial threats in the contested South China Sea. Its ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously in both group and autonomous modes ensures comprehensive coverage of vulnerable areas. The built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) enhance its resilience against electronic warfare tactics, a critical feature given the sophisticated capabilities of potential adversaries. The system’s mobility allows for rapid repositioning, ensuring that key assets remain protected even as operational dynamics shift.
Comparison with Other Regional Missile Systems
When compared to other missile systems in the region, the Akash holds its ground firmly. For instance, China’s HQ-9 surface-to-air missile system has a longer range, reportedly up to 200 km. The Akash’s mobility, rapid deployment capabilities, and advanced ECCM features provide significant tactical advantages, especially in the archipelagic and contested maritime environments of the South China Sea.
The Akash’s open system architecture allows for future upgrades, ensuring that it remains relevant against evolving threats. The impending missile deal between India and the Philippines is more than a mere arms transaction. It symbolizes a strategic alignment, with the Akash Missile System enhancing the Philippines’ defense posture in a volatile region, while also marking India’s emergence as a key defense exporter on the global stage.
The Geopolitical Context: A Shifting Balance in the Indo-Pacific
The South China Sea remains one of the most contested waterways in the world, with China claiming nearly the entire region under its expansive “nine-dash line.” Repeated Chinese incursions into Philippine-claimed waters, harassment of resupply missions to outposts like the BRP Sierra Madre, and militarization of artificial islands have intensified Manila’s urgency to modernize its military. The Akash missile deal is part of the Philippines’ broader effort to strengthen its deterrence capabilities, alongside acquisitions of new naval assets and enhanced security ties with allies.
China has transformed reefs into military bases, deployed advanced missile systems, and regularly deploys its coast guard and maritime militia to enforce its claims. For the Philippines, this expansion is not just about sovereignty—it’s a direct threat to its security and economic interests. Other regional actors, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, share similar concerns, leading to a push for stronger defense cooperation within ASEAN and beyond.
India has several reasons for increasing its involvement in Southeast Asia. By providing the Akash missile system, New Delhi establishes itself as a vital defense partner in the area and fortifies its relationship with Manila. China’s Belt and Road Initiative and growing naval presence are the main causes of India’s Act East Policy and growing maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific. Increasing India’s arms exports, defense agreements such as these act as a check on Beijing’s expanding might.
The United States remains a key security guarantor in the South China Sea, backing its allies, including the Philippines, through military aid, joint patrols, and the Mutual Defense Treaty. Washington has intensified its Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) and military exercises, challenging Beijing’s claims. The Philippines’ growing defense partnerships with India and the U.S. reflect a broader strategy to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, where no single power dominates the region.
India-Philippines Strategic Partnership: Strengthening Ties Amid Regional Uncertainty
India and the Philippines have steadily deepened their defense cooperation, with the $375 million BrahMos supersonic cruise missile deal marking a milestone in their military relationship. This contract, signed in 2022, represents India’s largest-ever defense export and provides Manila with a potent deterrent against maritime threats. The upcoming $200 million Akash missile deal is another step in this growing partnership. Beyond missile sales, both nations have engaged in naval exchanges, training programs, and discussions on cybersecurity and maritime security cooperation. Future collaborations could include anti-drone technology, radar systems, and joint military exercises to enhance interoperability.
Economic Ties: A Growing Trade and Investment Corridor
While defense ties are expanding, economic relations between India and the Philippines are also on an upward trajectory. Bilateral trade reached $2.8 billion in 2024, with Indian investments in pharmaceuticals, IT, and infrastructure gaining momentum. Indian companies like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys are strengthening their presence in the Philippines, contributing to its growing tech sector. Additionally, cooperation in emerging areas like digital payments, renewable energy, and agriculture is fostering deeper economic integration, complementing their strategic partnership.
Both India and the Philippines face direct challenges from China’s assertive policies. While Manila contends with Beijing’s aggression in the South China Sea, India remains locked in a border standoff with Chinese forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Himalayas. These shared security concerns have pushed both nations toward greater strategic alignment. By strengthening ties, Manila and New Delhi not only enhance their own security but also contribute to a broader regional effort to counterbalance China’s rising influence in the Indo-Pacific.
India’s Defense Export Drive: Emerging as a Global Arms Supplier
“Make in India†Initiative: Strengthening Domestic Production and Exports
Launched in 2014, India’s “Make in India” initiative has reshaped the country’s defense sector by prioritizing indigenous manufacturing and reducing dependence on foreign arms. The initiative has fueled domestic production of advanced weapon systems such as the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Akash air defense system, and Tejas fighter jet, while also encouraging private-sector participation and international joint ventures. With a target of achieving $5 billion in annual defense exports by 2025, India is aggressively positioning itself as a key supplier of cost-effective, high-quality defense technology to friendly nations.
India’s defense export push is driven by a combination of economic imperatives and strategic ambitions. Expanding arms sales strengthens India’s economy by boosting industrial growth and creating high-tech jobs. Strategically, exporting weapons to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa enables India to build stronger geopolitical ties, particularly in regions where China has been expanding its influence. Deals like the BrahMos missile sale to the Philippines and Akash missile negotiations position India as a reliable partner in the Indo-Pacific, contributing to regional stability while enhancing its own global standing.
Comparison with Other Exporters: India’s Place in the Global Arms Market
India has long been one of the world’s largest arms importers, but it’s export drive is now gaining serious traction. In 2024, India’s defense exports hit a record $1.6 billion, a significant increase from previous years. However, it still trails behind dominant arms exporters like: United States – The world’s leading defense supplier, controlling over 40% of global arms exports, with advanced fighter jets, precision missiles, and naval systems.
Russia – Historically a top supplier to India, its exports have declined due to sanctions and the ongoing Ukraine war, though it remains a key player in Southeast Asia. China – The fourth-largest exporter, known for supplying weapons at competitive prices, especially to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and African nations, though often tied to political conditions. India’s competitive edge lies in offering cost-effective, non-coercive defense deals with solid technological capabilities, making it an attractive alternative to Chinese and Western arms suppliers.
Challenges and Opportunities: Navigating a Competitive Market
Despite recent successes, India faces several hurdles in scaling its defense exports. Established exporters like the US, Russia, and China have deep-rooted relationships with global buyers, making market penetration challenging. Production constraints and bureaucratic red tape often slow down large-scale exports, impacting India’s ability to fulfill bulk orders efficiently. However, opportunities abound. Southeast Asian nations, Africa, and Latin America are actively seeking alternatives to traditional arms suppliers, creating a growing demand for Indian-made defense systems. With continued government backing, streamlining of export policies, and investments in advanced technology, India has the potential to become a top-tier defense exporter in the coming decade.
Implications of the Deal: Shaping Regional Security Dynamics
The $200 million Akash missile deal is more than just a military transaction—it is a strategic shift that enhances the Philippines’ air defense capabilities amid growing tensions in the South China Sea (SCS). With China aggressively asserting its maritime claims through gray zone tactics, militarized artificial islands, and naval incursions, the deployment of India’s Akash surface-to-air missile system provides Manila with an essential tool to protect its airspace and key military installations. This deal also aligns with the broader military modernization efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which have historically lagged behind regional counterparts.
By acquiring a mobile, all-weather air defense system, the Philippines gains the capability to counter aerial threats, including Chinese fighter jets and drones operating in contested areas. A credible deterrent makes hostile maneuvers riskier for potential aggressors, reducing the likelihood of military confrontations while reinforcing the Philippines’ ability to safeguard its territorial integrity. Beyond direct security benefits, this deal solidifies India’s role as a reliable defense partner for smaller Indo-Pacific nations looking to resist Chinese coercion without directly escalating tensions.
A Clear Message to Beijing
For China, the Akash deal represents a growing resistance to its dominance in the region. The India-Philippines defense partnership signals that Manila is expanding its strategic alliances beyond the U.S., diversifying its military ties with emerging powers like India and Japan. From Beijing’s perspective, this reflects a regional realignment where smaller nations are seeking alternative security partnerships to counterbalance Chinese influence. This deal also reinforces India’s willingness to engage in the South China Sea strategically, a move that aligns with its Act East Policy and growing interest in maritime security in Southeast Asia.
The Future of India-Philippines Relations
This agreement could pave the way for deeper defense collaboration, with the potential for future deals involving advanced Indian weaponry, such as the Tejas fighter jet, Pinaka rocket systems, and Swathi radar systems. Beyond defense, economic, technological, and infrastructure partnerships between the two nations are expected to gain momentum. This deal may also set a precedent for India’s expanding footprint in Southeast Asian security affairs, with other regional players—Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia—possibly following suit.
Expert Opinions and Analysis
Brahma Chellaney (Geopolitical expert): “India’s growing defense ties with the Philippines reflect a larger trend of middle powers banding together to check China’s expansionism. This partnership sends a strong signal that China’s bullying tactics will not go unchallenged.” C. Raja Mohan (International affairs scholar): “This deal highlights how India is positioning itself as a security provider in the Indo-Pacific, complementing rather than competing with the U.S. and its allies.” Harsh V. Pant (Defense and foreign policy expert): “The Akash missile sale is a breakthrough moment for India’s defense exports and an example of how India is leveraging its strategic partnerships to shape the balance of power in Asia.”
Lt. Gen. D. S. Hooda (Retd.): “The Akash missile system is highly effective in neutralizing enemy aircraft and drones, making it a cost-effective solution for nations like the Philippines that need an immediate boost to their air defense capabilities.” Sandeep Unnithan (Defense journalist, India Today): “While not as advanced as systems like the U.S. Patriot or Russian S-400, the Akash provides a solid, indigenous air defense solution that is reliable and suited for the operational needs of the Philippines.”
Richard Heydarian (Filipino political analyst): “The Philippines is sending a clear message that it will not be bullied by China, and by working with India, Manila is showing its willingness to broaden its security partnerships beyond traditional allies.” Collin Koh (Maritime security expert, Singapore): “This deal may encourage other ASEAN nations to consider Indian-made defense systems, especially those looking for alternatives to U.S. or Chinese arms.”
End Note
An important turning point in Indo-Pacific defense dynamics, the India-Philippines missile deal strengthens Manila’s security and increases India’s standing as a major regional actor. Deepening defense alliances indicate a changing power dynamic as South China Sea tensions continue, with growing powers like India claiming their influence and smaller countries bolstering their deterrence. This changing security environment challenges unilateral supremacy and shapes a more balanced Indo-Pacific order, highlighting a new era of strategic collaboration.
