By Priam Nepomuceno | Philippine News Agency
The first bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) between the Philippines and India featured high-level naval maneuvers between the participating units, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Monday night.
“Among the key drills conducted were rendezvous operations, communication checks, air defense exercises, and maneuvering drills with photo exercise,” the AFP said in a statement issued at the conclusion of the two-day MCA held from Aug. 3–4.
Aside from these, the MCA also included complex warfare simulations such as screening exercise, over-the-horizon targeting, naval surface interdiction and clearance integrated with a publication exercise, anti-submarine warfare exercise, replenishment at sea, passing exercise, and steaming fast, the AFP added.
The MCA aimed to strengthen tactical coordination and joint maritime capability between the Philippine and Indian navies, and highlighted the growing security collaboration between the two countries.
“The series culminated with a hotwash and a final evaluation through a final exercise, underscoring both forces’ commitment to achieving operational synergy in multilateral maritime environments,” the AFP said.
The MCA spanned strategic waters from Masinloc, Zambales to Cabra Island in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro.
Participating AFP units included the guided missile frigates BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), a Philippine Air Force search-and-rescue aircraft, and a C-208B reconnaissance plane.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy deployed a task group consisting of the guided missile destroyer INS Delhi (D-61), the anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kiltan (P-30), and the fleet replenishment tanker INS Shakti (A-57).
The AFP said these surface vessels were supported by two multi-role naval helicopters, enhancing operational flexibility during the joint drills.
It added that the successful execution of the MCA underscores the two nations’ readiness to work together in promoting maritime domain awareness and supporting a peaceful, stable, and secure region.
“It also lays the groundwork for sustained maritime collaboration in the years ahead,” the AFP added.
