BRP Malvar debuts in multinational naval drills alongside US, India, Vietnam, Russia
- J. Salazar
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
SUMMARY |
When the Philippines attends joint naval exercises with friends like the US, Japan, India, and Vietnam, it shows the world that they are partnering and getting stronger together with these strong nations.
These exercises help different navies learn how to work as one team to keep not just the West Philippine Sea safe and peaceful but including other seas as well.
By developing a united front, these countries discourages aggression and make sure the ocean stays open for everyone’s trade ships to pass through freely.
FULL STORY |
The Philippine Navy deployed its guided missile frigate, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), on a nearly 3,000-nautical-mile (approximately 5,556-kilometer) transoceanic voyage across the Indian Ocean to participate in the third International Fleet Review (IFR) hosted by the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam. In an official statement, the Navy emphasized that the participation of FFG-06 in IFR 2026 underscores its commitment to strengthening international partnerships, enhancing maritime cooperation, and advancing regional peace and security across shared maritime domains. According to Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez, the deployment represents the Philippines’ first maritime exercise with India and forms part of India’s flagship multinational naval exercise, Milan 2026, which also involves naval forces from the United States, Australia, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Vietnam.
Conducted under the theme “United Through Oceans,” IFR 2026 emphasized naval diplomacy, symbolic cooperation, and strategic dialogue among senior naval leaders. The frigate, manned by a crew of 115, departed Manila on February 5, transited 2,914 nautical miles (approximately 5,396.7 kilometers), and arrived in Visakhapatnam on February 15, coinciding with the opening of the Milan exercise, where it participated in joint patrols, surface warfare drills, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. Many of these activities were conducted off Visakhapatnam, a strategically located port city along the Bay of Bengal, positioned between the northern Indian Ocean and the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s most critical international shipping corridors. The fleet review, held at the Review Anchorage Area, was observed by Droupadi Murmu from aboard the presidential yacht INS Sumedha, alongside heads of delegations from participating foreign navies, marking the Philippine Navy’s inaugural participation in India-hosted naval exercises.
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