The Philippines is going to get Indian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles amid the ongoing clash with Chinese troops in the South China Sea. The cruise missile will be delivered to him this week. In the year 2022, it had a deal with India regarding these, then in the next year, i.e. 2023, its officers got training to operate it, and now, finally, the world’s fastest BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is soon going to be included in its Navy fleet.
The delivery of missiles is taking place at a time when tensions between China and Palestine in the South China Sea are increasing and have reached an aggressive military battle. In such a situation, Indian missiles can help the Philippines confront China and help secure the country on the world’s longest coastline.
Other Countries Have Shown Interest In Purchasing BrahMos Cruise Missile
According to the Eurasian Times report, maritime security and Asian Security Architecture expert Dr Pooja Bhatt said the BrahMos missile system on the coastline will help the Philippines Army respond to the threat. With the BrahMos missile, the Philippines will join those Southeast Asian countries that have supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles.
Indonesia has the Russian Yakhont supersonic missile. Vietnam also has two Russian land-based Bastion-P mobile coastal defence missile systems. The Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand want to purchase BrahMos cruise missiles.
The Deal Was Done For 374 Million Dollars
Atul D. Rane, CEO of BrahMos Aerospace, said that BrahMos aims to complete a follow-on order with the Philippines worth about US $300 million. For this, the delivery of missiles to the Philippine Marine Corps will start at the end of 2023. He also hoped the Philippines Army could order a land-based version of the missile system.
On December 31, 2021, the Philippines government announced that it had sent a proposal to BrahMos Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. to purchase the cruise missile for $374 million.
Why Is There Dispute Over The South China Sea?
China and Taiwan border the South China Sea in the north. In the west, it is bordered by Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore; in the south, it is bordered by Indonesia and Brunei. In the east, it borders the Philippines. China depends on it because 64 per cent of its trade comes from this region. About 70 of its coral islands and islets are in dispute.
Almost all these countries bordering it are setting up posts here. According to its nine-dash line map, China claims 90 per cent of the territory, has undertaken physical expansion, and has built military installations to establish control.
