The Philippines’ decision to procure BrahMos anti-ship cruise missile from India will not only fortify the coastal defense of the archipelago but also drive the other ASEAN countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand to obtain these missiles to build a minimum credible defense for themselves, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s report, ‘Philippines Defense Market – Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2026’, reveals that the Philippines acquisition budget is set to rise and record a CAGR of 11.29%. The procurement plan, which got delayed in 2021 due to budgetary constraints and disruption caused by COVID-19, finally concludes with the Philippines’ Navy signing the deal with India under the Horizon II program in 2022.

Akash Pratim Debbarma, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The Horizon II program, which is supposed to conclude in 2022 with a budget allocated around $5bn, is not likely to end anytime soon. As far as the modernization program is concerned, the acquisition of BrahMos anti-ship missiles would be part of the accelerated program to purchase which fits well into the focus of the Horizon II program.”

The medium ranged supersonic cruise missile, BrahMos is currently the world’s fastest anti-ship cruise missile which can hit the targets with great accuracy.

Debbarma concludes: “Besides enhancing its defense security level, Philippines’ decision of purchasing the BrahMos missiles along with the acquisition of Pohang Class Corvettes is also driven by an understanding of the other complex challenges unique only to its geographical location.”