With Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts demonstrating the efficacy of long-distance firepower systems, the Philippines Army is contemplating acquiring more than three batteries of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile for which it has already signed a deal with India, to strengthen its coastlines that falls in the Indo Pacific region which has become a theatre of China’s assertion.
In January 2022, Philippines had signed a deal worth $374.96 million for the supply of three batteries of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles which would be delivered to them either later this year or the next year. Along with the missile system, the contract also included training for support staff and the necessary Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) package.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. revealed to the media that they are planning to buy more of the BrahMos missile systems. Though General Romeo Brawner Jr did not share more details, he said the new possible acquisition would be for land forces, and together with earlier the order for marines, the BrahMos would be used for coastal defence and bridge the gaps in the coverage, as per the media reports appeared in Philippines.
The Indian Navy provided almost 19 days of training to 21 Philippine Navy personnel in Nagpur which began on January 23, this year. The training focused on the operations and maintenance of some of the most important logistics package of the Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile System (SBASMS) that will be delivered to the Philippines, Philippines Marine Corps (PMC) had stated in social media post.
Former Defence Secretary of the Philippines Delfin N. Lorenzana had said at the time of signing of the missile contract that the “vital asset (BrahMos) is imperative as the Philippines continues to protect the integrity of its territory and defend its national interests”.
Other countries too have evinced interest in the Brahmos, a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya.