Page 10 - The Indian EYE 011422

OpINION JANUARY 14, 2022 | The Indian Eye 10

southeast asian defense Markets:

opportunities for india

Southeast Asian countries have shown an expansion in their defense spending,

particularly over the last decade with an increase of 36 per cent. In 2020 alone, the military

spending in the region increased by 5.2 per cent

AKASH SAHU

he Philippines is set to buy
from India at least seven Dh-
Truv Advanced Light Helicop-
ters (ALH) and eight Dornier 228
aircraft under a recently concluded
deal. The bilateral defense relations
received an impetus after the ‘Im-
plementing Agreement’ was signed
earlier this year, which would facili-
tate legal framework for Philippines’
defense acquisitions from India.
The Philippines defense secre-
tary had also been quoted saying that
his country will purchase BrahMos
missiles, jointly developed by India
and Russia. Meanwhile, talks are
in progress regarding the export of
BrahMos to Indonesia.

These developments are re-
flective of growing interest

in southeast asia to pur-
chase arms from india. india
will therefore need to up-
grade its domestic defense
manufacturing capabilities, An Indian Army Dhruv chopper hovers in the skies of Leh in Ladakh (ANI)

perhaps in conjunction with inCrEasEd sPEndinG and nance and interests) for moderniza- analytics, cyber and space-based as-
friendly advanced nations, MiliTary ModErnizaTion tion of its defense forces in the next sets for “multi-domain operations”.
25-year-period. Philippines has allo-
In its 2019 defense white paper,
to sustain this interest from Southeast Asian countries have cated US$ 4.3 billion to its defense Vietnam set the goal of full military
southeast asia. shown an expansion in their defense budget in 2021, under the Revised modernization by 2030. The case of
spending, particularly over the last Armed Forces of the Philippines Vietnam is, however, a special one.
decade with an increase of 36 per Modernization Program (RAFP- Its geographical proximity and terri-
An overview of their defense cent. In 2020 alone, the military MP). There has also been talk about torial dispute with China have both
markets and demands will help In- spending in the region increased by Philippines’ interest in acquiring sub- aggravated tension in their bilateral
dia develop these capabilities ac- 5.2 per cent. Many ASEAN nations marines as the conflict in the region relations, and also restrained Hanoi’s
cordingly. A larger exchange of de- have also adopted medium to long is primarily over disputed maritime actions that may be interpreted by
fense business between India and term military modernization plans claims. The largest military spender Beijing as provocative. The tendency
Southeast Asia may consolidate In- to improve their defense. Under its in the region, Singapore’s defense to opt for political action instead of
dia’s position in the regional security Minimum Essential Forces (MEF) modernization plans may see the military action will likely put any ma-
architecture, and also forge greater programme, Indonesia has ear- next-generation Singapore Armed jor defense spending plans, especially
political alignment with important marked US$ 79 billion from a total Forces (SAF) using Artificial Intelli- acquisitions, on the back-burner for
ASEAN partners. of US$ 125 billion (rest for suste- gence in weaponry, automation, data Continued at next page... >>

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