The Philippines wants to buy more of India’s BrahMos missiles and have them adapted to its terrain, in a move analysts say signals Manila’s search for alternative arms suppliers as the US remains entangled in its Middle East conflict.
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr told a security summit in New Delhi last week that his country hoped to expand on its 2022 purchase of the supersonic cruise arsenal to strengthen its external deterrence.
Indian sources later told Reuters that India was in “final-stage talks” to supply more BrahMos missiles. The Philippines is expected to buy about five systems, or nearly 60 missiles in total, in a deal reportedly worth US$700 million to US$800 million.