New Delhi

The Philippines Ambassador to India, Josel Francisco Ignacio, has said that the Brahmos missiles procured from India give a significant boost to his country's defence and deterrent capabilities. The Philippines has signed a deal worth $375 million to purchase three batteries of the BrahMos missile system from India. 

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Speaking at an ORF media interaction, the ambassador said, "We had a missile deal, between Philippines and Brahmos, that was a contract signed in 2022, and it is a great milestone for both the countries. It is a game changer for the Philippines". The first batch of the export variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from India arrived in the Philippines on April 19, 2024. The shipment was brought to the Philippines aboard a C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

He highlighted that "Brahmos gives us credible defence and deterrent capabilities. For India, the significance is that it is the first overseas export of the Brahmos, an affirmation of India's own rising capabilities, of its own indigenous defence industry. So, it expands India's defence capabilities footprint overseas. Working with India, Brahmos towards the fulfilment of the full contract". 

The BrahMos missile, developed jointly by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, is a supersonic cruise missile capable of reaching speeds of about 2.8 Mach.

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Ambassador Ignacio detailed that the acquisition is part of his country's plans for modernisation. He pointed out, "Philippines has looked at India as one of the main sources of defence equipment for AFP or Armed Forces of Philippines modernization. Our Armed Forces are on the 3rd horizon for revised modernisation program which focuses on defending the archipelago. We are looking to procure ships, aircraft, radar weapons, items that will help boost our maritime domain awareness and defend our entitlements, defend our EEZ."

In addition to missile procurement, the defence relationship between the Philippines and India includes comprehensive military training exchanges. "We also have military training exchanges. Defence cooperation extends to training and education. It is gaining momentum. For the first time since the 1970s, we have Philippines officers training in the Indian military academy in Dehradun. This is the first time in 50 years. We have officers enrolled at the officer training academy in Chennai," the ambassador elaborated.

Also read: Dramatic video shows Chinese coast guards attacking Philippine naval vessels with knives, axes

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Maritime cooperation has also seen significant advancement with joint exercises, training, and port calls being undertaken regularly. "We have maritime cooperation, we have seen a flurry of activity, from joint exercises, to training, to port calls, to dialogues. Underpinning the intensification are agreements. Our coast guards have signed an MOU for enhanced maritime cooperation. We are sharing white shipping information, that facilitates exchange on merchant shipping which ultimately contributes to maritime safety and security in the region," Ambassador Ignacio explained.

Watch: Chinese coast guard board Philippines' Navy boat, after ramming into the Filipino vessel

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In December 2023, India and the Philippines held a maritime partnership exercise. Last month, Indian Navy ships INS Delhi, INS Shakti and INS Kiltan visited the Philippines. The visit was part of the Operational Deployment of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea. During the visit, personnel from both navies engaged in a wide range of professional interactions including Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), sports fixtures, and cross-deck visits.