MANILA - The Philippines has finalized a deal to buy an anti-ship missile system from India for nearly $375 million to increase naval capacity, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.
In a Facebook post on Friday evening (14/1), Lorenzana explained that under the deal negotiated with the Indian government, Brahmos Aerospace Private Ltd will deliver three artillery pieces, a number of military train and management operators, and provide logistical support.
The deal was drafted in 2017 but has faced budget delays due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The new anti-ship system aims to prevent foreign vessels from entering the Philippines' 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone.
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The Philippines is in the final stages of a five-year, pesos 300 billion project to modernize its outdated military hardware, which includes warships from World War II and helicopters used by the United States in the Vietnam War.
In 2018, the Philippines purchased the Israeli-made Spike ER missile, its first system for maritime security.
Amid the progress of friendly relations between China and the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte, Beijing has insisted on claiming most of the South China Sea -- which is also claimed by Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The 2016 international arbitration award said China's claims had no legal basis.
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