Philippines Says BrahMos Deliveries From India Remain on Track

The Philippines says BrahMos deliveries from India are progressing well and is looking to deepen defence cooperation, including potential collaboration in developing its domestic defence industry.

Deliveries of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile systems bought from India are on track in the Philippines, and the country is interested in deepening defence cooperation beyond arms sales, the country has said. The partnership is seen as a significant step in Manila's push for enhancing territorial defence capabilities.

The BrahMos project, which is still underway, has enhanced the Philippines' defence capabilities and boosted India's profile as a defence partner, Ambassador to India Josel F. Ignacio said. At an Observer Research Foundation roundtable on Southeast Asia, Ignacio said the deliveries were going on well.

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The BrahMos missile system was an important milestone in India's growing defence export activities, as the Philippines was the first foreign customer for the system. The pact has also helped to bring the militaries of the two countries closer together.

The BrahMos system gives the Philippines a credible deterrence capability, said Ignacio, as Manila seeks to modernise its armed forces and enhance its territorial defence posture. The project has contributed to India's reputation as a trusted supplier of defence equipment in the Philippine military, he added.

The Philippines may be interested in buying more BrahMos batteries, reports have said. But Ignacio did not specify a number or time frame, only that Manila is keen to develop on the current cooperation.

The Philippines is also keen on expanding the partnership beyond procurement. Manila is interested in learning from India's experience in developing an indigenous defence industry and is looking at the potential for cooperation in developing indigenous capabilities, Ignacio said.

This partnership may involve technology, manufacturing skills, training and industrial partnerships. It would help both nations build closer ties in the defence industry and contribute to the Philippines' military modernization efforts.

The India-Philippines relationship is also broadened to include trade, technology, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure and financial services. The two countries are pursuing a preferential trade agreement that would enhance market access and diversify bilateral trade, Ignacio said. There are already Indian companies operating in various industries in the Philippines.

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Maritime security is also a key field of engagement. The Philippines has emphasized the need for India's backing of the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea, and the two nations are deepening ties in the Indo-Pacific.

The BrahMos partnership is thus a broader strategic alliance and not just a defence procurement. Future deliveries and possible acquisition of more equipment and discussions on industrial cooperation may provide a wider platform for India-Philippines defence cooperation. For India, deeper engagement with Manila supports its growing defence export ambitions and Act East outreach. For the Philippines, cooperation with India offers access to defence capabilities and experience in developing a domestic defence-industrial ecosystem.