By Tracy Cabrera
Amidst aggressive actions from China’s military in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippines eyes to upgrade its security capabilities with the purchase of more of India’s defense equipment, particularly BrahMos missile systems that are highly capable of coastal defense.
In a special address delivered via video conference at the 3rd Delhi Defense Dialogue in the Indian capital, Department of National Defense (DND)secretary Gilbert ‘Gibo’ Teodoro conveyed Manila’s desire to expand its existing BrahMos capability as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s external defense.
According to Teodoro, they have already submitted a list of proposed modifications to make the said weapons systems better suited to the country’s geography and infrastructure.
“We hope to increase the number of BrahMos units we have, and we have shared also a wish list on the BrahMos to the Indian authorities in order to make it more tailor-fitted for the Philippine environment,” the defense chief pointed out.
In this he cited the country’s less durable roads and bridges and the logistical challenges of transporting the missile systems between islands.
According to the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, the ground-launched BrahMos cruise missile weighs about 3,000 kilograms, excluding its mobile launcher and other support equipment.
Teodoro did not specify how many additional units the Philippines was seeking or whether a new acquisition deal was being negotiated aside from the P18.9-billion contract with India’s BrahMos Aerospace in January 2022 for three shore-based antiship missile batteries intended for the Marine Corps.
The agreement, signed by then Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, also covered training for personnel and logistical support.
Lorenzana said at the time that the acquisition would strengthen the country’s ability to deter threats to its sovereignty and sovereign rights, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.
