On the sidelines of Raisina Dialogue, General Romeo Brawner outlines his military modernisation plan, building capability and deterrence, joint sailing in the South China Sea and warding off China's illegal territorial claims. General Brawner lays out his new Comprehensive Archipelagic Defence Concept (CADC) and looks at India as the most strategic ally for building military capability, seeking missiles systems (Akash) and joint military exchanges programme in its entirety.

Excerpts:

Manish K. Jha: Recently, we have seen India and Philippines have really bounded in terms of security cooperation, unfolding in terms of strategic military technologies, equipment, military exercise, and maritime pact. Could you give us the overview of the security ties?

General Romeo Brawner: Yes. So, we first started with the exchange of students. We have some students coming here to India to study from the level of the officer candidate upto the level of the general staff course. We also have had some Indian officers come to the Philippines to study in some of our courses.

Strategically, we want to become a stronger ally, a stronger partner of the Indian Armed Forces, not only in terms of training or logistics exchanges or support but more importantly that we become partner and allies in the global theatre where we face common threats.

Recently, we had some logistical exchanges. As you know, we bought the BrahMos missiles systems and we got the first batch of missiles. We are getting more insight from that. We're also looking at other technologies that India can offer to the Armed forces of the Philippines.

Strategically, we want to become a stronger ally, a stronger partner of the Indian Armed Forces, not only in terms of training or logistics exchanges or support but more importantly that we become partner and allies in the global theatre where we face common threats. So, that we believe that when we come together as like-minded nations, we become stronger.

Manish K Jha: Chief, BrahMos has been the breakthrough in India-Philippines relations. On such partnership, how do you look at building your capability? Do you want to extend the partnership, especially for the BrahMos in terms of other variant and what is your roadmap for adding strategic capability in the areas of missile system or combat jet?

General Romeo Brawner: Yes, of course, right now we are in the middle of our modernisation programme and we are looking at buying more missiles systems so that we can complete the integration of air and missile defence. So, aside from this air and maritime defence, we will have to buy more warships and multirole fighter [jet], so that we can develop or establish a credible defence deterrence. So that we can prevent any country who have any intention of getting some of our islands or some of our territory.

Manish K Jha: Do you look for some sort of a broader collaboration with India, in terms of technology transfer in the long term, where India can also add value significantly in developing your defence industry? Do you have certain road map of talk, about the direction of having a joint military industrial cooperation?

General Romeo Brawner: Yes, that is one of the one of the directions that our country is now are pursuing with the recent approval of the self-reliance defence posture programme.

We are now trying to build our defence industry and we are looking for partners around the world. We will be willing to build manufacturing plants in the Philippines and transfer the technology, so that this will enable us to manufacture these types of technology and later on develop on this and sell to the world.

We are looking at buying more missiles systems so that we can complete the integration of air and missile defence.

Manish K Jha: We also talk about strategic aspects of geopolitics especially in ASEAN. Here, the conflicts and pushover in the South China is very well documented. It's remarkable that Philippines, despite its size compared to its big neighbour, stands up for the right of freedom, navigation (UNCLOWS). How do you see that situation and conflict and how do you counter such unjust territorial pushover against your large neighbour?

General Romeo Brawner: So, we have three basic strategies. Number one, we have to establish our effective presence in the area. Even if they are bullying us almost every day, we maintain our presence. Because once we leave the area, they're going to take over.

Secondly, we continue to build our deterrence posture by modernising the armed forces of the Philippines and third, because we cannot do just with the force, it is important that we establish good relations with like-minded nations so that we have stronger alliances from the partnerships.

As I said earlier, if we bond together, we become stronger.

Manish K Jha: Philippines started the concept of "joint sailing" in the South China Sea and which is open and free for all. How is it unfolding? Do you plan to continue doing that sort of joint military programme? What is the objective?

General Romeo Brawner: Yes, so, we are opening the joint sailing to all countries. In fact, we have already had several joint sailing programmes with the United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, and France. And this year were looking at join sailing with Italy, Germany and probably South Korea.

We are now trying to build our defence industry and we are looking for partners around the world.

Of course, India is a very important partner because if we show to the world especially to the countries here in south Asia that together we promote the values such as a freedom of navigation, freedom of overflight, space, and international order as well, the countries that want to disrupt the international order, will think twice.

Manish K Jha: Do you see the same value from the Indian point of view as Philippines coming together with India in the Indian Ocean, doing the joint military exercise with your warship here to tackle the similar sort of problem. How do you look at your military policy, keeping India at the overall and broader frame of security, especially in the Indo-Pacific?

General Romeo Brawner: You know, we face a common threat, a common competitor which is China. We will not be afraid to mention China, because they really are at your border and they are coming in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), closer, and closer to our territorial waters. In fact, they [China] are starting to claim certain island chain in Philippines.

So, we are worried about that. And because we share the same values, we share the same threat, we believe that it would be very advantageous for the most countries if we do that and if you are willing to come to our Seas-China sea, we are also willing to get out and prove that we are good partner.

Manish K Jha: In March 2024, the Philippines launched a Comprehensive Archipelagic Defence Concept (CADC) to protect its territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The CADC intends to develop the Philippines' military capabilities to protect and secure its entire territory and EEZ. How are you going to conduct it and raise your capability?

General Romeo Brawner: The concept - CADC-- we started last year but it has been on the drawing board for the several years now. Initially, the defence concept of the Philippines was based on the inland seeking to defending, just the land area.

We will not be afraid to mention China, because they really are at your border and they are coming in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), closer, and closer to our territorial waters. In fact, they [China] are starting to claim certain island chain in Philippines.

With the CADC, we are not projecting all defences up to the end of our exclusive economic zone, and by doing so, we are sure that we protect the smaller islands and we are assured that we are protecting not just those islands for all the resources within the EEZ.

And we are seeing that with promising efforts, moving forward. As I said, a lot of countries right now are joining us in our joint sailing, joint operations. In our major joint exercise, India is an observer. So perhaps someday, the Indian and the Philippines could sign in similar agreement.

Manish K Jha: Recently, Joint Defence Industry and Logistics Committee (JDILC) was established under an MoU on defence industry and logistics cooperation. Last month's Track 1 maritime dialogue was built on the success of the Track 2 maritime dialogue held between the National Maritime Foundation of India and Strat base ADR Institute of the Philippines in September 2023.

General Romeo Brawner: So, these engagements are really very important because it's not just the military engagements or defence agreements, we are now involving other agencies, industries etc, it becomes more concrete.

Manish K Jha: Again, if I have to ask you apart from BrahMos, one thing which you would like to have from India in terms of building your capability-- radars, drones, or missiles, what exactly will you tick off.

General Romeo Brawner: A lot of things! Probably the missiles systems.

Manish K Jha: You mean the Akash missile systems, which is a matter of your interest?

General Romeo Brawner: Yes. I am looking at all possibilities.

Also, by the way, we want to learn from your experience, especially in cyber security and counter terrorism.

 

Manish Kumar Jha is a Consulting & Contributing Editor for SP's Aviation, SP's Land Forces and SP's Naval Forces and a security expert. He writes on national security, military technology, strategic affairs & policies.