Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
THE Ambassador of India vowed to strengthen defense security cooperation with the Philippines as he reassured the timely delivery of a Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile System, as part of the country’s military upgrade.
The P18.9 billion military equipment is being procured by the Philippines from BrahMos Aerospace Pit Ltd under the Horizon2 of the revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.
It includes three batteries of the BrahMos cruise missiles under the contract.
During a meeting following a courtesy call by Ambassador Shambhu Santha Kumaran to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., the Philippine official conveyed India’s recognition of the country’s emerging role in shaping the regional security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region.
Kumaran also reaffirmed India’s commitment to upholding a rules-based international order and strengthening relations with like-minded countries in the region.
Kumaran further conveyed India’s support for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) centrality and all Asean platforms, particularly the Asean Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus.
Both officials agreed to elevate the level of their dialogue in view of the increasing and deepening defense and military engagements.
Teodoro, for his part, reiterated the invitation to meet with India’s Minister of Defense, face-to-face or online.
Kumaran also encouraged strengthening cooperation on counter-terrorism, cyber security, maritime security, and other specialized training programs that could enhance capabilities of their military establishments in addressing common defense and security challenges.
On acquisition and defense industry cooperation, Secretary Teodoro highlighted the importance of deepening collaboration among defense industries of both countries as the Philippines is currently in the phase of developing a credible defense posture.
In response, Kumaran welcomed the initiative and further conveyed India’s willingness to support, through line of funding or credits, the development of the Philippine’s defense infrastructure, including extensive maintenance support for various projects and transfer of technology. — Francisco Tuyay
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Credit belongs to: www.manilatimes.net
