PHL warship joins India drills

THE Philippine Navy said on Sunday one of its warships arrived in India to participate in multinational drills there, as part of Manila’s drive to broaden security ties and maritime cooperation.

In a statement, the Philippine Navy said the guided missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar’s deployment to India is part of its participation in a major international exercise hosted by New Delhi featuring warships from the US, Russia, Japan and other navies.

“BRP Miguel Malvar’s deployment represents a historic milestone for the Philippine Navy, reflecting its expanding role in international naval diplomacy,” it said.

The navy’s involvement in the major drills “places the Philippines together with major maritime partners in a forum designed to promote peace, maritime stability, and cooperative security in the Indo-Pacific region.”

The BRP Miguel Malvar is armed with missiles and torpedo systems and fitted with sonar, radar, and electronic warfare capabilities. It was built by South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. The namesake of its class ship, the Philippine frigate left South Korea in March 2025 and was commissioned in late May. —Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio