Manila, April 20 -- The Indian-made BrahMos cruise missile system, considered the Philippines' most powerful weapon in its arsenal, will be subjected to simulation firing during the maritime strike phase of the "Balikatan" military exercises.

"The BrahMos of the Coastal Defense Regiment of the Philippine Marines will participate during the Balikatan, but it will be only in a constructive environment. It will only [be] ... simulation firing during the joint maritime strike in Northern Luzon," Philippine Balikatan exercise director Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday.

Simulation firing refers to a training scenario where all sensors and fire control systems of the platforms are a...