Editorial: Boost to defence exports

The deal for supply of BrahMos supersonic missiles to the Philippines, the first major military export, comes as a shot in the arm for India’s efforts to become an exporter of defence hardware. This is also seen as a strategic move to outsmart China whose belligerent behaviour in the disputed South China Sea has soured the relations with the Philippines. The $375-million agreement for supply of BrahMos, which has a range of 290 km and can carry a 200-kg warhead, is expected to pave the way for other Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia to acquire the sophisticated missile system to balance China’s aggressive moves. The Philippine Marine intends to use the BrahMos as a shore-based anti-ship missile, and the South China Sea is one of the potential areas where the system could be deployed. A major advantage of BrahMos, the world-class weapon with a multi-platform and multi-mission role, is that its air variant can be launched from a fighter jet within minutes of being ordered and can hit the target 400 km away with accuracy. Given that some of the Southeast Asian countries are facing a threat from China and have active ongoing disputes with the Asian giant, it will be in the interests of India to help them with the supplies of modern weapon systems. The BrahMos deal is being seen as a game-changer as India’s defence exports so far have been confined to items such as avionics, coastal surveillance systems, spares for radars, personal protective items and offshore patrol vessels.

India has been essentially known globally to be among the top five arms importers. Of late, however, the government is looking to reduce arms imports by boosting domestic production. New Delhi is seeking to boost defence exports to strengthen defence manufacturing and production. At present, India is the 24th largest arms exporter in the world and the target is to expand the defence manufacturing sector and become a bigger arms exporter generating a revenue of $5 billion by 2025. The latest BrahMos sale enables India to ensure its place as a reliable defence partner to its Southeast Asian neighbours. Since the Galwan Valley clash of June 2020, India has been deepening its ties with the United States and with the allies of the US like Australia and now the Philippines. India is engaging in proactive defence diplomacy in response to China’s naval incursions in the Indo-Pacific and also China’s encroachments in the disputed land border with India. This deal will undoubtedly have an impact on the India-China, India-Asean as well as the Philippines-China relations. This provides the perfect leeway for India to develop a strong defence linkage and partnership with countries of the Asean region.