India has taken a major step towards becoming an arms exporter. India has signed a key pact with the Philippines to the sale of"defence material and equipment", which might be likely to comprise BrahMos cruise missiles.
This is a significant advancement for 2 reasons. One of the Philippines could be India's first customer for its missile system and next those Indian arms can protect the Philippines against Beijing from the South China Sea.
This area the South China Sea has grown into one of the largest flashpoints, not only in Asia, but the whole world. Five additional nations make overlapping claims-- the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Vietnam.
And that is the essence of the battle over the South China Sea. Hence the Philippines is pitted against China. India is promoting arms to the Philippines. That should explain the strategic significance of the deal. A nation that is reacting to the Chinese threat with a telephone for self-reliance.
India and the Philippines have signed what is called an"implementing arrangement". It assesses the terms and sets the foundation for government to government contracts. The nation's defence secretary Delfin Lorenzana watched the signing ceremony on Tuesday. In no uncertain terms he's declared and I'm quoting.
"We are purchasing the Brahmos missiles". Now the next step to the Philippines is to discuss a deal to procure the Brahmos.
Why does Manila want this Indian missile?
The Brahmos is regarded as the quickest supersonic missile on the planet. Supersonic, means faster than the speed of audio and the Brahmos is known to be a pioneer in that category of missiles.
Reports say it travels at three times the rate of sound. The Philippines wants to use the Brahmos platform for coastal defence and ground assault. A clear vulnerability contemplating the growing Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. In January China had passed a law. It gave its coastguard powers to start fire on foreign vessels.
The Philippines filed a strong diplomatic protest over the transfer. Its foreign ministry shot off a tweet. Calling the legislation"a verbal threat of war". The Philippines believe the need to measure its defences along the coast.
And India wants to aid specialists believe the Brahmos is will be a good fit for the Philippines.
The Philippines can launch these missiles, not only from territory, but also from its own ships. India has conducted several tests on the Brahmos. The missiles have been deployed in several strategic locations along the line of management with China.
Reports say that they are being incorporated to be used on the Sukhoi fighter jets and reason amounts three the cost. India is helping out the Philippines here too.
New Delhi had offered Manila that a 100 million dollar soft loan to acquire the missiles in December. That credit line could be extended if required. So it looks like a win-win position for the Philippines.
New Delhi has a great deal to gain if this agreement goes through. It gains a base as a significant arms exporter. The agreement in the Philippines is a step towards establishing India's credentials as an aggressive exporter in the world defence industry.
Already, there is a whole lot of international interest across the Brahmos. Past the Philippines, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates have been said to be keen on buying the Brahmos.
The aim is to reach the goal of five thousand dollars worth of defence exports by 2025. And it seems like the Brahmos is going to be the backbone of this assignment. But this deal is not only about the arms trade.
Indian missiles will permit the Philippines to assert their territorial right in the South China Sea.
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