Philippines signs Implementing Arrangement with India to allow acquisition of Brahmos coastal defense missile systems

 

A Brahmos Coastal Defense System mobile launch unit, armed with the Brahmos supersonic anti-ship missiles, and also equipped with tracking radar system. Photo c/o Ommanorama.

The Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) and the Indian Ministry of Defence (MOD) has signed an Implementing Arrangement, which would allow the Philippines to procure defense materiel and equipment from India through Government-to-Government process.

Philippine Defense Undersecretary Raymundo Elefante and Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Amb. Shambu S. Kumaran represented both countries during the signing ceremony held on 02 March 2021 in Manila. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was also present in the event.

The agreement will be the legal framework for procurement of Indian defense equipment by the Philippines, being the guide on policies and procedures in defense procurement through Government to Government modality.

India has been offering its Brahmos Coastal Defence System to the Philippines, which is the land-based  variant of the Indian-Russian PJ-10 Brahmos supersonic anti-ship missile system developed by Brahmos Aerospace.

This is to meet requirements by both the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy for land-based anti-ship missile systems to be used for Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) on important maritime chokepoints, and to defend the Philippine mainland from intruding naval forces.

Sec. Lorenzana was quoted during the event that the Philippines will be buying Brahmos missiles, without providing further details. But it was reported by both Indian and Philippine press that an agreement is nearing completing for the procurement of the Brahmos CDS.

This would make the Philippines the first export market for the Brahmos missiles.

India was also reported to have offered a US$100 million credit line to the Philippines for acquisition of Indian-made defense equipment, although there is no confirmation if the Philippine government will make use of it. Previous statements from the Philippines DND mentioned that it would be using its own funds to pay for the missile systems.

Aside from the Brahmos missiles, India has also offered fighter jets, helicopters, naval ships, naval combat systems, radars and air defense missiles to the Philippines, as it continues the modernization of its military in wake of Chinese aggressive expansion and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.




[1] Philippines Department of National Defense
[2] Hindustan Times
[3] Philippine Defense Resource