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 now reached the Philippines, while another is exercising with another Singapore Navy.Along with the deployment of Figure INS Satpura for bilateral “Simbex” exercise with the Navy of Singapore, directed-Micile Destroyer Ins Delhi, Anti-Saberine Warfare Carvet Ins Kintan and Fleet Tanker INS Shakti are a testimony to “Indian Navy commitment 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 an extensive array of advanced naval operations. These include air defense exercises, SROS-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 contract of $ 375 million to supply three anti-ship anti-ship coastal batteries of Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles in the Philippines in January 2022, India has also discussed arms exports to other ASEAN countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam.In addition to the BrahMos missiles, which have been jointly developed with Russia, India also planned to sell the indigenous Akash Air Defense Missile System, which can stop hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones and subconnic cruel missiles at countries such as Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.
