Philippines Acquires India’s Anti-Ship Missile System for $375 Million

Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana answers questions during a Reuters interview at the military headquarters of Camp Aquinaldo in Quezon city, metro Manila, Philippines, on Feb. 9, 2017. Romeo Ranoco/Reuters

The Philippines has agreed to buy the BrahMos anti-ship missile system jointly developed by India and Russia worth $375 million, its Defense Secretary said on Friday, in a move seen as a response to China’s assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.

Philippines’ Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana released a document on Friday announcing Manila’s approval of a $375 million deal with the Indo-Russian defense corporation BrahMos Aerospace to acquire an anti-ship missile system.