Philippine Army Will Get this Land-based Weapon System

The Philippines would become the first nation to purchase the missile if the two parties manage to seal an agreement. Indian and the Philippines officials are reportedly negotiating the price terms of a potential sale of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to the Philippines.

Part of the negotiations is after-sale logistics to enlist the 292 kilometers range BrahMos, as well as the preparation of the Philippines Army’s 1st Land-based Missile System Battery (1LBMS Btry). The 1LBMS Btry of the Philippine Army was activated in October at Fort Magsaysay, and this unit will maintain and operate this kind of weapon system.

According to Philippine Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, the Army is interested in acquiring the Brahmos missile as it will strengthen the country’s coastal defense operations.

The land-based weapon system features a global positioning system and an inertial navigation system. It includes a mobile command post that controls four to six mobile autonomous launchers.

Hindustan Times reported that the Philippines and India are looking to finalize the deal for the purchase of this type of cruise missile in 2020. If an agreement is secured, it will represent a significant achievement for the BrahMos missile.

“There is money for it as per our modernization program,” the defense chief said in a message late Monday when asked on whether the Philippines can support or provide funds for the acquisition of the missiles. Brahmos’ land-based system was jointly developed by Russia and India.

The acquisition of a land-based missile system is under Horizon 2 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program. The program is scheduled for 2018 to 2022 and organized for the purchase of equipment for external defense with an allotted budget of Php 300 billion.