India on Friday delivered the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines, in reflection of the growing military ties between the two countries amid China's military muscle-flexing in the South China Se𒊎a.
The supplies came over two years India sigꦉned a USD 375 ꦚmillion deal with the Southeast Asian nation to supply the weapon systems.
A C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) t🐟ransported the missile ♉and the launchers to the Philippines for the country's marine forces, official sources said.
Under the January 2022 deal, India will supply three batte🌌ries of the missiles, their launchers and related equipment.
It was the 𓂃first export of the BrahMos missile byꦆ India.
A few other countries including Argentina have also shown int🔯erest in procuring BrahMos missiles from India.
BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, an India-Russia♎n joint venture, produces the supersonic cruise missiles that can be launcheꦑd from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms.
BrahMos missile flies at a spee🐷d of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound.
India has been looking at further expanding defence ties with the Philippines against the backdrop of growing glo🗹bal concerns over China's increasing military assertiveness in the South China Sea.
Both In𝓀dia and the Philippines have been emphasising the need for💟 peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea and for adherence to international law, especially the UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea).
The twin sides are ൩also favouring implementation of an arbitral award by a UN court𝔉 on the South China Sea.
The UN's Permanent Court of Arbitration, adjudicating the Philippines' case against China's territorial claims in t🃏he South China Sea, ruled in favour of Manila. However, China refused to accept the verdict.
There have been growing global concerns over China's sweepiꦓng claims of sovereignty over all of the S✱outh China Sea, a huge source of hydrocarbons.
Several countries in the region including Vietnam, the P💦hilippines and Brunei, have counterclaims.
As part of efforts to boost military ties with the P▨hilippines, India has decided to post a defence attach to that country along with Ethiopia, Mozambique, Poland and Ivory Coast.
