India will Provide an Air Defense System Along with BrahMos Missile to Philippines

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 19th Oct. India has now offered to modernise the artillery systems of the Philippine army in addition to purchasing air defense systems, following the purchase of the BrahMos cruise missile. India is also prepared to train the Philippine army in operational and cyber security matters. India was hailed by the Philippines for its promise to provide defense technology. To improve its combat capacity, the Philippines is also purchasing a batch of Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) from India.

In reality, India and the Philippines committed to expand their collaboration in August in areas like military, security, fintech, education, and civil aviation. The choices were made during India-Philippines’ thirteenth Foreign Office Consultations and the fourth strategic dialog, both held in Manila. According to this agreement, the Indian Army is ready to teach the Philippine Armed Forces on operational and cyber security matters (AFP). Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shambhu Kumaran presented the proposal during a meeting with Jose Faustino Jr., Under Secretary of the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND).

The Indian Ambassador for Military Training Cooperation, according to DND Spokesperson Arsenio Andolong, repeated India’s offer to the Philippine Armed Forces, particularly in terms of operational readiness and cyber security. In addition, he has pushed for the purchase of air defense systems for aircraft platforms and the modernization of artillery weapons. The Philippines responded by thanking India for its promise to offer defensive technology. Along with other things, the significance of continuing defense collaboration between the two nations was underlined. This included high-level communication, education and training exchanges, information sharing, and military cooperation.

Recent years have seen an upsurge in defense and security cooperation between India and the Philippines. Earlier this year, the Philippines signed a contract to purchase three batteries for the BrahMos, the deadliest cruise missile in the world, for more than $374 million. With regard to defense exports, this is India’s largest and first international transaction. To improve its combat capacity, the Philippines is purchasing a batch of indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) from India. The planned transaction is being talked over by both parties. It is a modern twin-engine helicopter that weighs 5.5 tons and is regarded as an efficient platform for a variety of military activities.

In order to address security concerns and long-standing territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea, the Philippines is putting its military modernization efforts first. India’s principal Southeast Asian strategic ally is the Philippines. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in bilateral defense and security relations, particularly in the maritime sector. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with which India has links that have grown dramatically over the past ten years, also includes the Philippines as an important member.

Today, India has advanced to the point where it is importing a lot of defense equipment made in India. In 2021–22, India exported technology and products for the defense industry at a record Rs 13,000 crore, a remarkable increase of 54.1% over the previous year. The five-day defense expo, called DefExpo 2022, began on October 18 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Due to the solely Indian participation, the defense expo, which is being billed as the largest exhibition of its type, is expected to mark a turning point for the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Make in India) strategy. 1,340 firms have registered for the event.

The event would highlight the government’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said at the curtain raiser.