SHAH ALAM: Philippines is buying the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile. It has not signed a contract for the purchase of the missiles just yet but had signed an implementing agreement with the Indian government to facilitate the procurement.
From the Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines and India signed an agreement for a potential supply of BrahMos cruise missiles, a product of collaboration by India and Russia, which the Philippine government hoped would boost coastal defense.
Philippine Defense Undersecretary Raymund Elefante and Indian Ambassador Shambu Kumaran signed an implementing agreement on Tuesday (March 2) at Camp Aguinaldo, headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), according to the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) on Facebook.
“We are buying the BrahMos missiles,” said Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who witnessed the signing ceremony. He did not provide details of the procurement plan yet.
BrahMos are medium-range supersonic (faster than the speed of sound) missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, planes or land. It is considered to be the fastest supersonic missile in the world.
Lorenzana said the agreement served as guide for the Philippines and India on “policies and procedures in the defense procurement.” It also served as a “legal framework for the procurement under the government-to-government modality,” Lorenzana added.
Read more: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/194117/ph-eyes-deal-with-india-for-worlds-fastest-supersonic-missiles#ixzz6nzONK1sb
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
It is likely that any contract will be done in the near future as the agreement signed will allow both countries to negotiate the deal. This is similar to the government to government deal between the Philippines and Israel which saw the former procuring things from ground intercept radars, light tanks and other weapons.
— Malaysian Defence
If you like this post, buy me an espresso. Paypal Payment
View Comments (22)
Whilst it’s understood that they want to acquire some level of deterrence to compensate for overall weaknesses; a small number of missiles doesn’t really do much in the overall context. Neither does a small number of submarines for that matter.
To fully utilise the capabilities offered by Brahmos one would need a OTH and a strike/recce capability; currently lacking in the AFP. It’s not the actual missile but the key enablers needed to effectively operate it.
This deal has led to a lot of debate within Filipino military and defence circles. Many of the opinion (one I agree with) that the cash would be better spent on
MPAs, UASs, radars, etc.
Reply
Like our selves, national interest is a huge calling card
If they 🇵🇭 are serious about protecting their 'national interests', and there's wholehearted desire to operate Brahmos, perhaps they should consider the type of aircraft that can deliver the weapon. I'm not talking about their FA50.
Buying weaponry is not necessary for Malaysia. A growing world superpower which has a strong interest of our land and seas need to be appeased.
N9 - “Buying weaponry is not necessary for Malaysia”
So what do you suggest? We
downgrade the MAF to a “self defence force” which operates nothing heavier than 81 mortars?
N9 - “. A growing world superpower which has a strong interest of our land and seas need to be appeased”
What does that have to do with the price of oranges?
The fact that there is a “growing superpower” (which we’ll never go head to head with) doesn’t in any way do away with the fact that there is a need for an adequately funded and equipped MAF.
China is merely one of the security challenges we face and the key to deal with it is a combination of engagement and diplomacy in line with carious regional and no regional partnerships/engagements we have with various players.
Taib - “there’s wholehearted desire to operate Brahmos”
There’s a “wholehearted desire” to operate something which will enable some level of deterrence to compensate for the overall weakness of the AFP.
Taib - “ perhaps they should consider the type of aircraft that can deliver the weapon”
They are looking at land bases; ample range to hit anything within the EEZ and it’s periphery. The problem is detecting and tracking targets.
@N9
'a growing world superpower that .....need to be appeased'
That's exactly how the Finnish population felt living next to Mother Russia. Maybe we could 'learn' from them 🤔. Do we appease till we loose our pants or do we project an image that still cultivates respect for our sovereignty?
We should buy both the land based n air borne versions of the missile. Our SU can carry that missile de. Land based can be fired from trucks.
With the potential MPA mid course guidance would not be a problem
Taib - “Do we appease till we loose our pants or do we project an image that still cultivates respect for our sovereignty?”
The latter.
We do what we can; in line with our ability; to have a MAF which can deal with the type of threats we are likely to face and one we can sustain. Unfortunately we have a MAF whose capabilities don’t reflect what we’ve spent on it; thanks to our longstanding highly flawed policy.
Quite obviously we can’t and never will go head to head with the likes of China but any suggestion that we shouldn’t invest in the MAF on the basis that we can’t deal with China because it’s a much more powerful superpower is downright simplistic and silly.
On Finland (long a part of the Russian empire); it fought a short a bitter war but ultimately sheer weight of numbers and attrition forced it to sign a one sided peace treaty. It has to give up part of the border area as well as some coastal areas and islands to the Soviets.
It later became an ally of Germany and fought the ‘Continuation War’ to regain lost territories. When things started going bad Finland deserted Germany and made peace with the Soviets; again.
@Taib
"I’m not talking about their FA50"
The only plane capable of carrying Brahmos (in NG form) is Su-30 tho traditionally Pinoy does not operate any Russian weaponry (none that I could think of).
"Finnish population felt"
Unlike our relation with China, Soviet Russia actually invaded Finland.
Lee - “We should buy both the land based n air borne versions of the missile”
There’s a long list of what we should buy. Given a choice I’d rather we add to what we already have or we improve what we already have.
The MKMs and Hornets could use a AESA and we need more than the 3 MALEs approved for funding. Surely things like this would make more sense rather than a small number of Brahmos.