India finally bags a $375 million deal for exporting BrahMos supersonic missile to the Philippines
Akankshya MUKHERJEE – Mumbai Uncensored, 15th January 2022:
The Philippines confirms on Friday that they will be acquiring 3 Batteries of the BrahMos cruise missile, which was developed both by Russia and India. The deal is worth a $375 Million, it is viewed as a development which can boost India’s efforts to becoming a major exporter of Defence Hardware. The Philippine Defence secretary Mr Delfin Lorenzana has recently signed the “Notice of Award” which is the acceptance of this proposal for supplying this missile. It will be supplied for the Philippine Navy’s shore based anti-ship missile acquisition project.
The Government of India has negotiated to the delivery of 3 batteries, training for operators, maintainers and necessary Integrated Logistics Support package as mentioned in Mr Delfin Lorenzana’s Facebook post. The BrahMos dela was conceptualized as of 2017, the Philippine President’s office approved in the Horizon 2 Priority Projects in 2020 for inclusion. This is the first ever contract to export a 290km range BrahMos missiles, such a deal will also lead a way for more such deals from other ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) members such as Vietnam and Indonesia.
This deal also saw a strategical backdrop of China’s expansionism and strong arm-tactics with other nations in the South China Sea. This contract is for the Navy for the purpose of coastal defence, another contract expected can be for their military and similar talks continue for exporting BrahMos missiles to Indonesia is at an advanced stage.
Other countries have also shown their interest in acquiring the BrahMos Missile, it can be viewed on emerging as the precision strike weapon of choice. Countries such as UAE, Saudi Arabia and South Africa have shown their interests. India plans to sell the indigenously developed, Akash Missile systems which can interpret helicopters, drones, subsonic cruise missile and hostile aircrafts at the range of 25km to countries such as Kenya, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and Algeria. The BrahMos missile have been deployed in eastern Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh during an on-going military confrontation with China, its being extended from 290km originally to 350/400km.
The Indian armed forces have placed orders of Rs.36000 crore for the BrahMos missile over years, the Army has 4 BrahMos regiments as of now and another one has been added. The Navy on the other hand has equipped 11 of its frontline warships, which includes destroyer INS Vishakhapatnam with the BrahMos vertical launch systems. THE IAF includes 2 land-based BrahMos squadrons, with a sleeker air launched version which progressively fits on the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets.
One of the potential areas to use BrahMos by the Philippines is South China Sea. The Permanent Act of Arbitration in Hague ruled that specific portion of the south China Sea has been claimed by China and Philippines which belonged to Philippines alone in 2016. China rejects this and continues to send their vessels into the disputed water. Former Indian Navy Chief, Admiral Arun Prakash says it was a long- delayed decision, this can alter the Indo-China strategic equation. By such deals India is helping to bolster their security and also give China a taste of their medicine. We are awaiting such confirmations form Vietnam and Indonesia.
On August 15, 2024, Bharat marks its 78th Independence Day, a day of national pride and reflection on the country’s journey from colonial rule to a vision of a developed nation by 2047. This year’s theme, Viksit Bharat or Developed Bharat, symbolizes the government’s commitment to transforming Bharat into a developed nation by the time the country celebrates its 100th year of independence. Across the country, citizens will celebrate with flag hoisting, parades, and cultural events, honoring the spirit of freedom and the progress made since 1947.
Independence Day commemorates Bharat’s freedom from over 200 years of British rule, achieved on August 15, 1947. The struggle for independence, which began with the Revolt of 1857 and gained momentum under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in the 1920s, culminated in the Indian Independence Bill being introduced in the British House of Commons on July 4, 1947, leading to Bharat becoming an independent nation.
As we celebrate this significant day, it is a moment to honor the sacrifices of our freedom fighters and renew our commitment to their vision for Bharat. Happy Independence Day to all, and may we continue to strive for a prosperous and developed nation. Jai Hind!
A company named Subhash Constructions is responsible for the degradation of Silver Beach, Marve. Despite existing regulations aimed at safeguarding coastal ecosystems, this company has blatantly disregarded environmental norms, upsetting the delicate balance of nature.
Among the most concerning outcomes of this unchecked development is the unauthorized creation of a slope on the beach. This alteration of the natural landscape not only disrupts the beach’s aesthetic appeal but also poses considerable ecological risks. Additionally, reports of dead snakes found along the shoreline serve as a poignant reminder of the adverse impact of human intervention on local wildlife.
Local Citizens are demanding an FIR against the contractor and their associates for conducting work of a government contract in an unethical manner by making a ramp by using stones and soil instead of using metal sheets for machinery movement. Dumping of huge rocks and soil on the beach has also risked the environment, and this whole project will also cause sand erosion, a local source said.
Environmentalists have taken strong objections against the construction of a wall at Marve beach in suburban Mumbai, as they said that “This will further destroy the sandy beach, besides wasting taxpayers’ money to build a wall. Its actually foolish to construct such walls on beaches instead of coming up with eco-sustainable solutions.”
The situation at Silver Beach Marwe underscores the pressing need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and increased accountability from construction companies. Subhash Construction, in particular, must be held accountable for its role in the degradation of this coastal ecosystem.
Furthermore, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority’s mandate against permanent constructions on beaches must be enforced without compromise. Failure to do so not only compromises the integrity of Silver Beach Marve but also establishes a hazardous precedent for coastal development projects throughout the region.
As concerned citizens, it is our collective responsibility to raise awareness about the environmental challenges facing Silver Beach Marve and advocate for sustainable solutions. Specifically, the dumping of stones on the seacoast and the absence of a required board of the ongoing tender on the beach must be addressed. Moreover, companies found violating environmental regulations, like Subhash Construction, should be blacklisted as government contractors. The explicit directive from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority prohibiting permanent constructions on the beach must be emphasized and upheld.
Only through concerted action can we hope to preserve the natural beauty of our coastal heritage for the enjoyment of future generations.
Fortuitous Combination of Birth Dates Turns Ordinary Ticket into Millionaire Maker
In a stroke of unimaginable luck, a man from Kerala, India, clinched a whopping Rs.33 crore jackpot in the UAE, all thanks to a serendipitous choice of numbers. The 50-year-old winner, identified as Sunil Kumar, purchased a lottery ticket for the UAE Big Ticket Draw, selecting numbers that bore significant personal meaning – his children’s birth dates.
The fortuitous combination of birth dates transformed an ordinary lottery ticket into a life-changing windfall, as Kumar emerged as the sole winner of the eye-watering prize. His decision to infuse sentimental value into his ticket by choosing numbers associated with his children’s special milestones paid off in the most extraordinary manner possible.
The news of Kumar’s incredible win has sent waves of excitement and inspiration throughout Kerala and beyond, underscoring the unpredictable yet exhilarating nature of lottery games. As Kumar basks in the glow of his newfound fortune, his story serves as a testament to the age-old adage: sometimes, luck truly does favor the bold – or in this case, the sentimental.