India recently delivered the Second  batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines. 

• Philippines is acquiring the systems under the Horizon 2 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Programme.
• It is a $375-million deal with India to deliver three batteries of shore-based, anti-ship variants of the BrahMos, becoming the first export customer for the joint venture missile between India and Russia.

About BrahMos

• Introduction: BrahMos is a joint venture between DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya and the missile derives its name from Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers.
• Launch Capability: The missile is capable of being launched from land, sea, sub-sea and air against surface and sea-based targets and has been long inducted by the Indian armed forces.
• Range: The range of the missile was originally capped at 290 km as per obligations of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). 
  • Following India’s entry into the MTCR in 2016, the range has been extended to 450km and work is on to extend it to 600 km and beyond.
• Technology: Two-Stage Missile with the first stage being solid-propellant booster engine and the second stage being liquid ramjet.
  • The missile has stealth technology and guidance system with advanced embedded software that provides the missile with special features.
• Speed: Up to 3 Mach speed in cruise phase. 
• Altitude: Cruising up to 15 km and Terminal altitude is as low as 10 meters.
• Warhead Capacity: It carries a conventional warhead weighing 200 to 300 kgs.

About Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)

• Introduction: It is an informal  and voluntary political understanding among states that seek to limit the proliferation of missiles and missile technology.
  • It also includes unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of carrying greater than 500 kg payload for more than 300 km.
• Members: Currently 35 countries are members of the MTCR.
• Establishment: April 1987 by G-7 countries 
• The members are thus prohibited from supplying such missiles and UAV systems that are controlled by the MTCR to non-members.