India and Philippines Strengthen Military Cooperation with Joint Defense Equipment Development Partnership.

India and the Philippines continue to strengthen their bilateral defense relations with the recent announcement of a strategic partnership aimed at co-developing military equipment. This initiative was presented during the fifth meeting of the Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) in Manila, where India's Defense Secretary, Giridhar Aramane, invited the Philippines to collaborate with India's defense industry for joint armament production.
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AI-generated image of the Indian and Philippine flags. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

This collaboration takes place against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions in Southeast Asia, particularly due to China's aggressive claims in the South China Sea. The Philippines, directly affected by these tensions, is seeking to modernize its armed forces to protect its territorial sovereignty. The cooperation with India is thus seen as a significant strategic opportunity for Manila. Aramane emphasized the importance of both nations enhancing their defense production autonomy, aligning this vision with India’s "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" policy of self-reliance.

One of the most notable achievements of this cooperation is the delivery of three coastal batteries of BrahMos supersonic missiles to the Philippines. These missiles, with a range of 290 kilometers, significantly enhance the country's coastal defense capabilities and represent a concrete first step toward deeper collaboration in sophisticated armaments. The contract, signed in January 2022 for $375 million, reflects India's commitment to supporting the military modernization of the Philippines.

In addition to military exchanges, the partnership between India and the Philippines aims to establish stable supply chains within the defense industry. Philippine Undersecretary of Defense, Irineo Cruz Espino, emphasized the importance of long-term investments to build a national industry capable of meeting the needs of its military without excessive reliance on imports. The Philippines views India's experience in defense indigenization as a model to follow in achieving self-sufficiency.

Maritime security is also a key area of bilateral cooperation. Alongside the development and delivery of military equipment, India and the Philippines have implemented an information exchange system on commercial shipping as part of the White Shipping Information Exchange initiative. This mechanism allows for real-time tracking of commercial vessels, thereby enhancing maritime security in a region where tensions are particularly high.

The two nations have also expressed their willingness to strengthen cooperation within multilateral frameworks, including ASEAN and regional security forums such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus. This multilateral collaboration is seen as essential for maintaining regional stability and countering growing threats in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in response to China's maritime ambitions.

As India and the Philippines celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations and 10 years of India's "Act East" policy, their defense cooperation marks a turning point in the military strategies of both nations. The joint development of military equipment, coupled with close collaboration on maritime security, strengthens the Philippines' defense capabilities while solidifying India’s role as a key security player in Southeast Asia. The partnership between the two countries could prove crucial for regional stability in the years to come.