Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India entered the global arms market with the export of the BrahMos system to the Philippines marks its emergence as a defence exporter of an advanced missile technology, a report said on November 15. The move reflects India’s strategic interest in the Indo-Pacific region, strengthening defence ties with the ASEAN nations and contributing to a multipolar regional security framework — designed to check China’s hegemonic ambitions in the region.
“India appears to have been happy to supply the Philippines with its advanced missiles, at least in part because the likely target of those missiles will be China. In January 2022, India and the Philippines signed a contract for India to supply the Philippines with three shore-based anti-ship missile batteries of the BrahMos system. The contract was valued at around $375 million,” American magazine ‘The National Interest’ detailed.
“Clearly, the weapon was meant to deter the increasingly bellicose People’s Liberation Army Navy and China Coast Guard, which have been acting with extreme aggression toward the Philippines in the South China Sea (SCS). The system has been described as a “shore-based anti-ship missile system,” meaning it will be deployed on land at coastal locations to engage naval surface targets,” it added.
According to the report, Manila’s deal with New Delhi was comprehensive, covering not only the BrahMos itself but also all the supporting equipment, which includes mobile launchers, radar, command-and-control, and logistics support. India will also train the Philippine military personnel on the system.
