New Delhi: As part of the Navy’s ongoing operational deployment in South-East Asia, with one eye on China’s aggressive behavior in Indo-Pacific, three Indian warships have reached the Philippines, while another is exercising with another Singapore Navy.Along with the deployment of Figure Insa Satpura for bilateral “Simbex” exercise with the Navy of Singapore, directed-Micile Destroyer Ins Delhi, Anti-Saberine Warfare Carvet Ins Kiltan and Fleet Tanker INS Shakti are a testimony to Manila.Leading three warships in Manila, Eastern Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Sushil Menon said that India and the Philippines shared commitment to maintain stability in the region and increase maritime security, which stressed the importance of such deployment in promoting understanding, trust and cooperation between friendly marine forces.The warships will conduct a bilateral naval exercise with the Philippines, which will focus on joint maneuvers and communication protocols to improve preparations, build mutual trust and strengthen operating coordination in piracy domains.INS Satpura, in turn, is participating in the 32nd edition of Symbex Exercise, which marks another chapter in a strong and permanent maritime partnership between the Indian Navy and the Singapore Navy Republic (RSN).“Practice includes execution of a broad array of advanced naval operations. These include air defense exercises, cross-deck helicopter operations, exact targets with surface and air platforms, complex maneuver drills and VBS (travel, board, search and seizure) operations,” said an official said.Following a $ 375 million contract to supply three anti-ship anti-disciplines of Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles in the Philippines in January 2022, India has also carried forward discussion on arms exports to other ASEAN countries like Indonesia and Vietnam. In addition to Brahmin missiles, which have been jointly developed with Russia, India also plan to sell indigenous Akash Air Defense Missile System, which can prevent hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones, and subcoses on the border of 25 km in countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.
