Funding problem delays BrahMos cruise missile acquisition-Lorenzana

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday said funding is one of the main issues in the Philippine government's plan to acquire the "sophisticated" BrahMos cruise missile.

Lorenzana said the funding for this project was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Totoo 'yan, gusto nating bumili nung BrahMos, one of the most sophisticated cruise missiles in the world, pero dahil nga sa pandemic na ito, nawalan tayo ng... 'yung mga perang pambili diyan ay siyempre unahin muna natin 'yung sa mga tao kaysa sa cruise missile," Lorenzana told reporters.

The Defense chief said the negotiation has already reached the advance stage of the procurement process but it was halted.

"Mayroon nang negotiation, it's already in the advance stage of procurement process pero na-stop muna dahil nga sa pag-funding," Lorenzana said.

Reports said India and Russia have been eyeing to export to the Philippines their jointly developed BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

Lorenzana said he is not certain whether the matter would be discussed in the meeting of President Rodrigo Duterte and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by next year.

"Will it be one of the topic between President Duterte and Prime Minister Modi... hindi ko pa alam kung ilalagay natin doon," Lorenzana said.—AOL, GMA News