India offers joint development, production of military equipment to Philippines – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India has the Philippines to collaborate with the defense industry for the joint development and production of weapons systems and platforms, while also supplying the country with supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles.
Amid the continued heightened tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, which Beijing use strong arm tactics, Minister of Defense Giridhar Aramane appreciated the Philippine government’s “self-reliance defense posture act” for modernizing its armed forces during the fifth bilateral joint meeting of the Defense Cooperation Commission in Manila on Wednesday.
Senior Undersecretary of the Department of Defense of the PhilippinesIrineo Cross Espinoin turn, invited investment in a long-term partnership to promote assured supply chains. “The Philippines recognized and appreciated India’s functioning and proven template of defense industry indigenization,” an official said.
“The two sides exchanged extensive discussions on bilateral and multilateral issues. Reviewing the outcomes of the third bilateral service-to-service interactions held on September 10, they expressed satisfaction over the overall improvement in bilateral defense cooperation in all sectors,” he added.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to support each other in achieving the goal of self-reliance in the defence industry. They also welcomed the operational launch of their bilateral ‘white shipping information exchange’ and the upcoming opening of a defence wing at the Indian Embassy in Manila.
Under the vision for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, Arameans said that the Indian defence industry is continuously improving its production capabilities and exporting equipment to all over the world.
Earlier this year, India began delivering three anti-ship batteries of the 290-km-long supersonic cruise missile BrahMos to the Philippines under a $375 million contract signed in January 2022.
While welcoming the Philippines as a coordinating country for India in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-plus, Aramane also discussed ways and means to strengthen cooperation in multilateral forums. “India and the Philippines have a strong and multifaceted relationship that has expanded into several strategic areas, including defence and security,” the official said.