New Delhi: India and the Philippines are on the brink of finalizing a significant deal involving the export of India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) ‘Tejas’. Discussions between a Technical Working Group from the Department of National Defence of the Philippines and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are in their concluding stages, paving the way for the transfer of the LCA to the ASEAN nation.
Recently, HAL proposed the ‘Tejas’ Mk1A to the Philippine Aerospace Development Corp as a naval strike platform equipped with BrahMos NG missiles. Furthermore, HAL has committed to assisting in establishing local assembly facilities for the fighter jets in the Philippines, aligning with the nation’s ambitions to develop its aerospace and defense ecosystem.
The imminent export of ‘Made in India’ BrahMos missiles to the Philippines further strengthens bilateral ties, with ground systems accompanying the supersonic cruise missiles expected to arrive by March. DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat has confirmed that export procedures will kick off in February, with the BrahMos missile systems taking the lead.
A recent delegation from the Indian defense industry, featuring representatives from HAL, Bharat Dynamics Ltd, MKU Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited, and Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited, visited Manila to explore potential collaborations in defense.
During a defense industry event in Taguig City, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines, Shambhu Kumaran, emphasized India’s diverse defense capabilities, which align with the requirements outlined in the Philippines’ Horizon 3 acquisitions. This initiative, amounting to Peso 2 trillion, aims to modernize the Philippines’ military over the next decade.
The strategic partnership between India and the Philippines holds promise for collaboration in joint exercises, technology transfer, and capacity building, facilitating mutual growth and regional stability.
In addition to fostering defense cooperation, India has extended offers of soft loans to support the Philippines’ modernization endeavors, reinforcing the enduring bond between the two nations. The Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) stands ready to provide concessional loans to bolster defense procurements and joint industrial activities, underscoring India’s commitment to enhancing partner countries’ self-reliance in defense manufacturing and technology development.
Amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea, the acquisition of BrahMos missiles by the Philippines Navy is poised to bolster its maritime security capabilities, safeguarding its territorial integrity. The Philippines’ firm stance against China’s assertions regarding joint patrols with the US reaffirms its commitment to upholding international law and protecting its sovereign interests.
As India and the Philippines navigate evolving security challenges, their partnership is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific region.
