The comments come from defense analyst Miguel Miranda amid reports of Indian defense companies like HAL, Kalyani Strategic Systems, and Larsen and Toubro Ltd, eyeing exports of military platforms to the Philippines.
Manila Keen to Acquire Fighter Jets and Helicopters
Manila is also interested in procuring the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv MK-III from HAL.
BrahMos Deal With Philippines a Historic Win For India
Miranda underlined that it was not surprising that Manila, despite its constant diplomacy, was finding itself in an impossible situation with China.
That's why, he noted that the Armed Forces of the Philippines were keeping their tenders and other procurement efforts for better equipment alive.
The Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard in particular have an urgent need to grow, the Manila-based strategic affairs specialist elaborated.
New Delhi Can Take Bulk Export Orders for Military Hardware
"HAL in particular is in a good position right now as its catalog fits the needs of the Philippine military and government. In fact, HAL's light helicopter and small fixed-wing transport aircraft are a perfect fit for the Filipino forces," he pointed out.
Military Ties Between India and the Philippines Picking Up Pace
Earlier this year, foreign ministers of the two nations laid the framework for defense cooperation between the two Asian countries.
"On defense cooperation, both Ministers expressed keen interest to continue to work together in this sector, including through the regular or upgraded official level interaction among defense agencies, opening of the resident defense attaché office in Manila, consideration of India’s offer for concessional line of credit to meet Philippines' defense requirements, acquisition of naval assets, and expansion of training and joint exercises on maritime security and disaster response, among others," a joint statement released after the meeting between Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and his Philippine counterpart Enrique A. Manalo read.