MANILA, Philippines – Inihayag ni Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shambhu Kumaran na ang paghahatid ng BrahMos supersonic missile to the country sa bansa ay “still on track.”
Sa panayam ng CNN Philippines nitong Martes, Nobyembre 7, hindi na tinukoy pa ng envoy kung kailan maihahatid ang naturang missile sa kabila ng mga ulat na ang mga ito ay darating sa Disyembre.
“We are broadly on track,” sinabi ni Kumaran.
“I’m not sure if it would be exactly next month but we are on track.”
Tinukoy din niya ang naging pahayag ni dating Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana na ang supersonic missiles na ito ay talagang magpapalakas sa Philippine military.
Matatandaan na noong 2022 ay pinirmahan ni Lorenzana ang $375 million (nasa P21.03 billion) agreement sa BrahMos Aerospace para sa tatlong battery ng Brahmos anti-ship missiles.
“Equipping our Navy with this vital asset is imperative as the Philippines continues to protect the integrity of its territory and defend its national interests,” naunang sinabi ni Lorenzana.
“Secretary Teodoro talked about the need to create capacity within the Philippines for manufacturing of defense equipment and as an important country in terms of defense,” pahayag naman ni Kumaran.
“We understand that it is a logical way to progress with national security.” RNT/JGC
