The Philippines is the opportunity of procuring more missile programs and different army platforms from India, General Romeo Saturnino Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the armed forces of the Philippines, stated on Wednesday (March 19, 2025), emphasising his nation’s dedication to deepening its defence partnership with New Delhi amid rising competitors from China within the Indo-Pacific area.
In an interview with PTI Videos, Gen Brawner expressed satisfaction with the Philippines’ current inventory of BrahMos missile programs, acquired from India, and emphasised their strategic worth.
“We’re looking at the possibility of procuring more missile systems and other platforms from India,” he stated. “We already have the BrahMos systems. We’re happy with them. We’re still waiting for the delivery of more components, but so far, they’re creating a very good deterrent effect in the South China Sea.”
The BrahMos, a supersonic cruise missile famend for its pace and precision, has change into a linchpin within the Philippines’ efforts to bolster its maritime defences, significantly within the contested South China Sea.
Military cooperation between India and the Philippines has been steadily advancing, with years of pupil exchanges laying the groundwork for broader collaboration. “We have had this relationship for several years,” Gen Brawner stated.
“Now we’re trying to establish better relations by perhaps doing more exchanges, intelligence exchanges,” the General, who participated on the Raisina Dialogue, stated.
He highlighted the geopolitical significance of each nations, stating that their strategic places make cooperation important for the Indo-Pacific area.
In addition to its deal with procuring more from India, the Philippines is exploring partnerships with Ukraine to modernise its forces.
Gen Brawner revealed curiosity in collaborating with Ukraine to develop the nation’s drone and counter-drone capabilities, citing Ukraine’s strong trade cast amid its battle with Russia.
“We’re learning a lot from the conflict between Ukraine and Russia,” he stated, signalling a multi-pronged strategy to enhancing nationwide defence.
In April 2024, India provided the Philippines with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles as a part of a $375 million settlement inked in 2022, representing the inaugural export of the missile developed by a collaboration between India and Russia.
Published – March 19, 2025 05:08 pm IST
