New Delhi: – The Philippines has decided to purchase BrahMos missiles from India. It is claimed that an agreement will be announced soon. Given the tension reigning between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea, the purchase of BrahMos by the Philippines is a matter of concern to China. At the same time, India’s defence exports will benefit greatly. Both of these developments are strategically very important from the Indian point of view.
It was already clear that the Philippines was keen to buy the BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia. Discussions were going on in both countries and this discussion seems to have concluded now. The Philippines had reportedly set funds aside to buy BrahMos. Some news agencies reported that the Philippines had started moves for the transaction. But it has not been officially announced. It is said that the transaction was delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Over the past few days, the Philippines has taken a firm stand against China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea. The Philippines has appealed for a strong alliance of ASEAN member states in the South China Sea. Moreover, it says such an organisation is needed to take a tougher stance against Chinese bullying. Meanwhile, the Philippines has also signed an agreement to buy two destroyers from a South Korean company.
Besides, hundreds of Chinese fishing boats have been plying the waters off the coast of the Philippines for some time now. In reality, the ships that are used as fishing vessels are alleged to be a part of a Chinese naval contingent. The Philippines took serious cognisance of this and warned China against it, but China ignored it. China, which claims rights over the maritime territory of the Philippines, is trying to assert its sovereignty through these efforts.
This is why the Philippines has to move fast to defend itself. Expediting purchasing BrahMos is part of the same Filipino effort. By purchasing BrahMos, the world’s most advanced supersonic missile, the Philippines has sent a message to China that it is getting ready to defend itself. The deal could prove crucial for Indian defence exports. After the Philippines, other countries in the South China Sea region, under the Chinese threat, may also decide to buy BrahMos from India.
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