Description: India is set to export Arkash missiles to the Philippines later this year in a defense contract valued at approximately $200 million. The agreement between the countries arrives as military tensions have severely escalated in the disputed South China Sea in the last year. India has become one of the largest importers of military and defense equipment in the last couple of years but as the domestic production capabilities surged rapidly, the country started to develop strategic alliances with the US, Russia and the Philippines. In addition to the Arkash missiles the Philippines Defense Ministry announced an early purchase of the BrahMos defense systems from India.
Impact: India’s developing economy and production force enables the country to broaden its strategic outlook in the constantly sensitive southeastern geopolitical theater. Recently, the country has exploited its close strategic ties with both the US and Russia and its adopting a multi – faceted approach towards establishing multilateral relations with regional and global forces. The Philippines would continuously aim towards rearmament as tensions with China have recently reached new heights, with the country aiming at unscrupulously protecting its territorial integrity and enhancing maritime and ground defenses.