New Delhi: In what is a very historic moment for bilateral strategic relations between India and the Philippines, as the first consignment of the world’s fastest cruise missile BrahMos has reached the Philippines from India. Under the deal signed between the two countries in 2022, the powerful C-17 Globemaster of the Indian Air Force took off from Hindon Air Force with the first consignment. The Indian aircraft has landed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines.
Philippines preparing to respond to China
BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) signed an MoU with the Philippines on January 28, 2022. It was the largest and first foreign deal worth over $374 million to buy supersonic missiles from India. The joint venture between India (DRDO) and Russia (NPOM) has developed supersonic cruise missile BrahMos.
After completing this missile deal with India, the Philippines is focusing on modernizing its military to face security challenges as well as decades-old territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. Now the Philippines is purchasing a batch of advanced light helicopters from India to increase its combat capability. The indigenously developed Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) is a twin-engine, multi-role, multi-mission new generation helicopter in the 5.5 tonne lift category and is considered an effective platform for various military operations.
India reached new heights
The Philippines is a major strategic partner of India in the Southeast Asian region. Bilateral defense and security relations have gained momentum over the past few years, especially in the maritime domain. The Philippines is also a key member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with which India’s relations have expanded significantly in the last decade. Philippines has also shown interest in purchasing Akash air defense missile system from India. The Akash air defense missile system has taken India to new heights in the world of aerospace amid efforts to increase exports of indigenous military hardware.
