India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Philippines' Philippine Aerospace Development Corp (PADC) are in talks to create a customised version of the LCA-Tejas MK1A aircraft, equipped with the advanced BrahMos-NG missile system, to meet their specific defence needs and operational requirements.
This collaboration aims at enhancing the maritime defence capabilities of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), strengthening defence ties between India and the Philippines.
One of the crucial upgrades under consideration is the integration of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range (NASM-MR), developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), into the arsenal of the LCA Tejas MK1A.
The anti-ship missile system will significantly boost the aircraft's ability to strike maritime targets with precision, allowing for the accurate targeting of naval assets and improving maritime domain awareness.
To optimize the performance of the LCA-Tejas MK1A for naval operations, HAL has also proposed a key customisation of its radar system to improve the detection and tracking of sea-based targets.
The integration of the BrahMos-NG Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) by the DRDO will significantly enhance the versatility of the LCA-Tejas MK1A as a naval asset.
The dual-use capability of the BrahMos-NG ALCM, which can be used for both land attacks and anti-ship operations, provides the Philippines a powerful deterrent against potential maritime threats. This includes potential incursions by the Chinese Navy in the South China Sea and addressing regional security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.