India’s deployment of three naval warships to the Philippines in the lead-up to a joint patrol in the South China Sea has raised hope that Manila is not alone in its long-standing stance against Beijing’s assertiveness in the region.
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Currently docked at the Port of Manila, the Indian Navy warships – INS Mysore, a guided missile destroyer; INS Kiltan, an anti-submarine warfare corvette; and INS Shakti, a fleet tanker – are slated to take part in the joint sail from August 4-8, including in waters contested by Manila and Beijing.
The drill is set to coincide with a scheduled visit by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr to India, where he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi plan to hold talks. On Marcos’ itinerary during his first visit to India since assuming office are meetings with Indian President Droupadi Murmu and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
India’s 163-metre INS Mysore is equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles – jointly developed by India and Russia – with an extended range of up to 800km.
Analysts say the coordinated maritime patrol, part of India’s ongoing operational naval deployment across Southeast Asia, reflects a united front being presented by New Delhi and Manila as tensions continue to rise in the South China Sea.
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At the arrival ceremony on Wednesday, Rear Admiral Susheel Menon, the flag officer commanding the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet, thanked the Philippine government for its warm reception. His crew introduced various surveillance aircraft to the Philippine media, highlighting their capability to accurately distinguish military vessels from civilian ships.