Nguyen Thanh Long
The Philippines points its India-supplied BrahMos missiles at China. Image: X Screengrab
The Re-Horizon 3 Program, approved in 2024 with a nearly 2-trillion-peso (US$34.5 billion) budget, focuses on strengthening the Philippines’ archipelagic defense system. Its acquisition list includes submarines, fighter aircraft, patrol vessels, destroyers, corvettes and, crucially, missile systems.
While the US, South Korea, Japan and France are arguably at the forefront of supplying submarines, patrol vessels and aircraft, Manila is turning to India for modern missiles, aimed chiefly at deterring China in the South China Sea.
In early August 2025, India and the Philippines elevated their bilateral ties to “strategic partnership.” The move is part of Manila’s broader strategy to avoid overreliance on the United States and to diversify its security partnerships.
Closer defense ties with India will allow the Philippines to enhance its limited defense capabilities through Indian advanced weapons, reduce dependence on any single supplier and build a lasting engagement with New Delhi as a trusted and supportive partner.
General Romeo Brawner Jr, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), has publicly stated that the Philippines plans to acquire more weapons from India, noting that Indian arms are of “high quality but not expensive” as those from other suppliers.
India’s willingness to offer soft loans for Manila’s defense procurements adds to its appeal. India is also well-positioned to support the Philippines’ indigenous defense industry’s development through experience-sharing and potential technology transfers.
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