Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippines could buy medium-range ramjet supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles for the Philippine Army’s coastal defense missions.
“There is money for it as per our modernization program,” Lorenzana said in a message to Philippine News Agency (PNA).
According to PNA, The acquisition of a land-based missile system jointly developed by Russia and India is under Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program’s Horizon 2. The country’s defense unit is set to buy the external defense equipment from 2018 to 2022, with a budget of P300 billion.
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Philippine Army eyes buying BrahMos cruise missiles
The Defense Secretary further said that the PA is currently evaluating the BrahMos cruise missiles.
“The Army is looking at it,” he said.
In October, ranking Army officials visited the Shivalik-class guided-missile frigate, INS Sahyadri (F-49), to learn more about its missile capabilities.
The BrahMos is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarine, ships, aircraft, or land. It is the fastest supersonic cruise missile in the world.
“The Philippine Army is interested in acquiring this type of missile as it will strengthen our coastal defense operations,” PA spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala earlier said.