BrahMos Missile Systems. (India's Ministry of Defence)
DEPARTMENT OF National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday confirmed that another batch of the Indian-made BrahMos cruise missile system is now on its way to the Philippines.
“So parating na ito at aming gagawin ang kailangan natin upang magamit ito ng tama (these are on the way and we will do what is needed so that these are used properly),” Teodoro said in an ambush interview at the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City, without giving further details.
Indian media previously reported that the second battery out of the three BrahMos batteries ordered by the Philippines from India is now on its way to the country via a cargo ship.
“Yan ay mga dating order and talagang parating naman (those are from the previous order and already scheduled for delivery),” the DND chief said.
He added they have already prepared the location where the platform will be deployed along with the necessary storage facilities.
A battery usually consists of three to six launchers along with monitoring and tracking components, as well as logistics support vehicles.
The first BrahMos batteries were delivered in April last year.
However, the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have yet to issue any updates regarding its status.
The BrahMos cruise missile can be launched from a ship, aircraft, submarine or land, and has a top speed of around Mach 2.8 (around 3,400 km. per hour), and is capable of carrying warheads weighing 200 to 300 kg.
This weapon platform is expected to address the country’s military’s weaknesses and vulnerability in sea control, anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD), and coastal and island defense operations.
Former Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and BrahMos Aerospace director general Atul Dinkar Rane signed the contract worth PHP18.9 billion in a virtual ceremony in January 2022. (Priam Nepomuceno)
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