00:00The AFP's modernization program to contemporize its tools and instruments of defense is a work in progress
00:06as the country shops around for ground and air defense systems.
00:10And the commander-in-chief was more than glad to ink a deal with his host for items in the AFP laundry list,
00:16such as the formidable Brahmo Super Cruise missiles.
00:19Our Kenneth Paschenta narrates the details.
00:23In light of the government's efforts to modernize the armed forces of the Philippines, or AFP,
00:28President Ferdinand R. Marcus Jr. explained that the government is already in the process of procuring additional Brahmo SuperSonic Cruise missiles from India.
00:36In an interview with an India Media entity, the president said he spoke with operators of the Brahmo system who expressed the need for more missiles.
00:44Well, everything's on the table right now.
00:46As you may know, the Philippines is in the midst of a modernization of our military.
00:51And so we are looking to see what's the most suitable for our defensive needs.
01:03However, the president emphasized that this is not in preparation for war, but rather a move to strengthen the country's defense capabilities.
01:10We are not girding up for war.
01:12We are simply reacting to the challenges that we are facing.
01:20Those challenges, those tensions have increased in the past years.
01:25And so this is just the reaction to that.
01:27And we have to do it.
01:28It is our duty to defend the country.
01:31It can be recalled that the Philippines received the first batch of Brahmo's missiles in April 2024,
01:36under a $375 million deal signed in 2022.
01:39The agreement covers three military batteries, training for operators and maintainers, as well as logistics support.
01:45The arrival of the second batch of missiles in the country is also expected.
01:49The chief executive also mentioned that he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed issues concerning China.
01:55According to him, India and the Philippines face shared challenges.
01:59India is also engaged in a territorial dispute with China.
02:02The similarity between our situations is that it is a rejection of any unilateral attempt to change boundaries.
02:13It's really that simple.
02:14And that, again, requires no country can go against or can stand up by itself for a principle.
02:23And that's what we're standing up for.
02:25No one country can stand up for a principle.
02:28There has to be a coalition.
02:29The president also clarified that direct engagement with other countries is important to strengthen alliances and to uphold international law.
02:37Kenneth Paciente from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
