Philippine forces have acquired supersonic cruise missiles from India, enhancing Manila’s ability to target China‘s forces in disputed areas of the South China Sea.

“Its maximum extent in terms of range exceeds the West Philippine Sea,” Philippine National Security Council assistant director general Jonathan Malaya told local reporters, using Manila’s preferred name for the disputed waters. “This is more of a deterrent because we now have several batteries for this BrahMos cruise missile, which is going to be deployed to the Philippine Marines.”