2024-04-23 15:20:51
India begins delivery of Brahmos hypersonic cruise missile to Philippines As the two countries strengthen military and strategic ties, amid growing tensions with China over the South China Sea
Philippines signs deal to buy Brahmos missiles from India in 2022 for $375 million
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that “We are now exporting Brahmos missiles. The first batch of missiles will reach the Philippines today. »
India sends ‘supersonic missile’ to Philippines amid disputes with China
India and the Philippines have stepped up military cooperation amid concerns over China’s growing influence on their borders.
The Philippines and China have frequently clashed in the South China Sea over the past year. Including the confrontation of ships from two countries. India has also been in conflict with China over the Himalayan border for four years.
Analysts believe that India also wants to be part of the plan to prevent China from expanding its influence in the South China Sea.
Map of country claims in the South China Sea.
Sriram Chaulia, an analyst at the Jindal School of International Affairs in New Delhi, said: “Sending Brahmos missiles to the Philippines may not be a game-changer. Rather, it supports the idea that India is part of an alliance of nations that includes the United States. which seeks to strengthen and improve the security of small countries like the Philippines, what is called a network strategy.
The BrahMos missile was built as part of a joint project between India and Russia. This is a coastal anti-ship missile with a radius of 290 km.
Under the agreement reached India will supply the Philippines with three types of missile systems, according to New Delhi media. Philippine authorities have stated that This missile will be used by the Philippine Marine Corps.
Indian Brahmos missile
Don McLain Gill, a geopolitical analyst from La Salle University in Manila told VOA that “This missile significantly improves the level of self-defense of the Philippines. in a context of limited military resources compared to China. At a time when China is expanding its power and continually violating international law.
Analysts also believe that India’s growing cooperation with the Philippines indicates that India is withdrawing from the Indian Ocean to play a role in stabilizing the entire Indo-Pacific region.
Besides the Philippines, India is also strengthening military cooperation with Vietnam, which has a maritime border dispute with China.
This delivery of hypersonic missiles to the Philippines is the first missile export from India, which has been a major importer of weapons from the United States and Russia for several decades.
- Source: VOA
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