Over the week, the Philippine Coast Guard enhanced its maritime cooperation with the Indian Coast Guard and Navy in New Delhi. These agreements come amid tensions in the South China Sea and as both Manila and New Delhi seek to deepen their security relationship.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on enhanced maritime cooperation between the Philippine Coast Guard and Indian Coast Guard was signed on Tuesday, the same day the second resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre commenced. The MoU specifically looked to “enhance professional linkage between the two Coast Guards in the domain of Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE), Maritime Search & Rescue (M-SAR) and Marine Pollution Response (MPR).” Joint exercises and training collaboration were also mentioned.
Prior to the signing, a delegation of high-ranking PCG personnel, including Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu, visited ICG facilities in Goa. During his tour, the Philippine delegation was introduced to various Indian-made aircraft and ships in use by the ICG. This included a demonstration flight for PCG Commandant Abu onboard an ICG ALH Mk-III Dhurv. According to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Annual Report for 2020-21, the PCG is expected to procure 7 of the helicopters and 8 domestically produced Dornier 228-based Maritime Patrol Aircraft, via a Line of Credit. Commandant Abu also visited Goa Shipyard Limited, which constructs many offshore patrol vessels used by the ICG and IN.
Don McLain Gill, a Philippines-based geopolitical analyst & lecturer at the Dept of International Studies, De La Salle University, told Naval News that the PCG-ICG MoU represents the deepening of ties between the Philippines and India in regards to their goals in Southeast Asia. Gill also highlighted that the MoU “has the potential to pave a path towards deeper and broader maritime security partnership frameworks for both democratic countries in the near future. The PCG is at the frontlines of the security and protection of Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.”
“The goal is for both agencies to maintain consistent coordination to improve both operational and symbolic elements of their maritime cooperation. Both countries share significant experiences in both traditional and non-traditional maritime security issues; hence, this familiarity will allow Manila and New Delhi to smoothly harness their collective potential in the maritime domain,”
Don McLain Gill
While this MoU was the result of the first-ever PCG-ICG bilateral talks, plans for it were announced in June during the 5th India-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation.
Along with enhanced cooperation between the coast guards, the joint commission also looked into a “White Shipping Agreement” between the PCG and the Indian Navy. This agreement allows for the transfer of information on maritime traffic between the two forces. It was only a day after the PCG-ICG MoU. The PCG delegation also met with Indian Defence Secretary Shri. Giridhar Aramane on the same day.
New Delhi recently changed its stance on the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration, one of Manila’s main counters to China’s expansive maritime claims in the region. Gill noted that while the “structural conditions” for a closer relationship already existed, it was “only recently when both sides developed the strong political will to maximize this partnership.” Further defense cooperation in the naval realm was explored, including the possibility of joint exercises focusing on maritime security. Notably, India explicitly reiterated its offer to supply military equipment, such as naval vessels, via loans to the Philippines.
“The Philippines can greatly benefit by leveraging its strengthening security partnership with a rising India with vast material capabilities and no axe to grind in the region. Similarly, New Delhi will also benefit from having robust ties with the Philippines, given its increasing centrality in Southeast Asian and Indo-Pacific geopolitics,” said Gill.
In 2022, the Philippines officially became the first foreign customer of the Indian-made BrahMos supersonic anti-ship cruise missile. It was one the most significant procurements made by the Philippines, with three batteries of BrahMos going to the Philippine Marine Corps Coastal Defense Regiment. The first of these missiles are set to be delivered before the end of the year, with a personal guarantee made this week by the Indian Ambassador to the Philippines on the system’s timely delivery.
The Philippine Army is also expected to procure BrahMos missiles this year for its coastal defense requirements.
India has also been strengthening its security relationships with other countries in the region in the maritime and coastal defense realm. New Delhi has been assisting Vietnam in building up its naval capabilities, with the recent hand-over of INS Kirpan to the Vietnamese People’s Navy last month. Indonesia and Malaysia are also reportedly interested in BrahMos.
