Philippines Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo has described the agreement between India and the Philippines to procure shore-based, anti-ship BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles as a major step in bolstering defence relations between the two countries.
Discussing the importance of the deal, Manalo emphasized that it would pave the way for greater future cooperation across various defence sectors.
"This is a significant development in our defence ties, and it will open the door for further collaboration, not just in military equipment but also in military cooperation, training, officer exchanges, and operational facilities," he said.
On Monday, Manalo also engaged with members of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), where he underscored the growing engagement between India and the Philippines in key strategic areas. FICCI President Harsha Vardhan Agarwal added, "While our engagement continues to thrive through trade and investment, it's encouraging to see it expanding into new and strategic sectors like waste management, green mobility, and agricultural technology, alongside our evolving defence partnership, exemplified by India's delivery of BrahMos missiles to the Philippines in April 2024."
As part of the USD 375 million deal signed in 2022, India successfully delivered the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines in April 2024.
Defence sources confirmed that the Indian Air Force used its C-17 Globemaster aircraft to transport the missiles to the Philippines Marine Corps. The delivery also included the export of ground systems for the BrahMos missile system, which began last month.
The timing of the deal coincides with rising tensions between the Philippines and China, particularly in the South China Sea, where frequent clashes have intensified the need for enhanced defence capabilities. The three batteries of the BrahMos system will be stationed along the Philippines' coastlines to strengthen its defences against regional threats.
The deal has received approval from multiple partner nations involved in the BrahMos programme.
The BrahMos missile, a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, is considered one of the world’s most advanced missile systems. Known for being the fastest precision-guided weapon globally, BrahMos has significantly bolstered India's deterrence capabilities.
Since 2007, the Indian Army has integrated several BrahMos regiments into its forces, enhancing its overall defence capabilities. (Source: ANI)
