India Pitches Tejas and Dhruv to the Philippines in Defence Talks

India and the Philippines are charting a course for significantly stronger defence cooperation following pivotal talks between Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

Strengthening Ties at Multiple Levels​

A significant outcome of the high-level meeting was the creation of a multi-level dialogue mechanism between the countries' defence establishments. This will provide a consistent framework for communication on defence matters like strategic cooperation, joint exercises, and military procurement.

Additionally, both nations pledged to ramp up education and training exchanges to bolster the professional skills of their armed forces. These exchanges are vital for building mutual understanding and compatibility between Indian and Philippine military units.

India Offers Advanced Military Platforms​

India has showcased its commitment to enhancing the Philippines' defence capabilities by offering advanced military platforms. Top among these are ALH-Dhruv helicopters and the LCA-Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft, potentially tailored for naval operations.

Negotiations for the sale of ALH-Dhruv helicopters are reportedly at an advanced stage, with a deal potentially nearing completion.

The potential acquisition of the LCA-Tejas Mk1A has attracted substantial attention from the Philippines. This highlights the Philippines' increasing strategic value and the recognition of its defence modernization needs by major arms suppliers.

Context and Implications​

These developments mark a significant deepening of ties between India and the Philippines in the realm of defence.

This cooperation comes at a time of evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region, offering both countries an opportunity to secure their strategic interests and contribute to regional stability.

 

[Rational Guy]

A much better proposition would be to offer joint development of Tejas MK-2/3.

ADA/HAL can do design and development while the Filipinos do the assembly line manufacturing.

Kyunki assembly line mei mehnat karney mei toh HAL waalon ki maiyya mar jaati hei. Union ka support jo hai.

Trash idea. Phillipines has absolutely 0 experience in manufacturing advanced fighter jets. At least HAl has little experience

 

[Pad UwU]

All other weapons can be offer except Tejas because HAL can't even fully deliver it's obligation LMAO 😹 the Koreans Woo's the Philippines with their fa50 mk2 and kf21 Boramae

 

[Pad UwU]

I feel what is lacking and the reason why we dont win contracts is that we dont use middlemen(arms dealers) or bribe the defence officials of foreign countries. African countries, malaysia, south america, south asia, middle east have a terrible record when it comes to corruption. We used to have a terrible record as well.

We did convert philippines when it comes to brahmos, so I believe that there is a great chanvmce to sell them other stuff.

Only India can win Philippines is by offering a working Tejas mkii.... Korean government already wooing Philippines by offering fa50 mk2 and kf21 Boramae

 

[Anant]

It is very strange to see why Tejas aircrafts are not fitted with default machine guns or cannons for the dogfight purposes and without them these jets are vulnerable to being shot down by enemy aircraft.

The Tejas does have a twin 23mm cannon, though. Not sure where you got that tidbit from.