India expects $200M Akash missile deal with Philippines

India is poised to finalize a defense export deal with the Philippines worth over $200 million for the sale of Akash short-range surface-to-air missiles, marking New Delhi's second major arms contract with Manila. This deal, anticipated to be larger than last year's $230 million sale to Armenia, comes amid heightened tensions with China in the South China Sea. The Akash missile system, capable of intercepting aerial threats at a range of up to 25 km, has garnered significant interest from the Philippine military, which plans to place an order in the fiscal year starting April 2025. Following a $375 million deal for BrahMos missiles in 2022, this latest transaction underscores India's strategy to bolster its defense exports and production in response to regional security dynamics. While specific details regarding the number of missiles and radar systems remain undisclosed, both Indian and Philippine defense officials have refrained from commenting on the specifics of the deal. India's defense exports have surged nearly 150% since 2020, reflecting its growing role in the Southeast Asian defense market.