Indian Navy's missile destroyer, corvette and stealth frigate reach Philippines and Singapore wargames in China’s backyard

Three Indian Navy ships have reached Manila while a fourth is taking part in joint exercises with the Singapore Navy, as part of India’s operational deployment to Southeast Asia amid growing regional tensions. The deployment comes at a time when China’s actions in the Indo-Pacific continue to draw international concern.

The Indian Navy has stepped up its presence in Southeast Asia with multiple ship deployments aimed at strengthening maritime partnerships. The move aligns with India’s broader strategy of regional engagement in the Indo-Pacific, especially as China asserts influence across strategic waters.

Indian Navy ships reach Manila

The guided-missile destroyer INS Delhi, the anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kiltan, and the fleet tanker INS Shakti have docked in Manila. Rear Admiral Susheel Menon, commander of the Eastern Fleet and leader of the task group, told TOI that the Indian and Philippine navies share a common objective of maintaining regional security.

“India and the Philippines share a mutual interest in maintaining regional stability and enhancing maritime security,” he said.

He added that such visits were important for building understanding and trust between like-minded maritime forces.

Joint drills planned with Philippines

A bilateral naval exercise between India and the Philippines is expected to include joint manoeuvres and communication protocols. The drills aim to improve preparedness, build mutual trust, and enhance operational synergy in the maritime domain.

Simbex exercise underway with Singapore

Meanwhile, stealth frigate INS Satpura is participating in the 32nd edition of the bilateral naval exercise Simbex with the Republic of Singapore Navy. An officer quoted by TOI said the exercise involves advanced naval operations such as air defence drills, cross-deck helicopter flights, aerial and surface targeting, coordinated manoeuvres, and VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) procedures.

INS Satpura’s participation marks yet another chapter in the strong and long-standing maritime partnership between India and Singapore.

Defence ties with ASEAN countries

The Navy’s deployment follows a $375 million agreement signed in January 2022 to supply the Philippines with three BrahMos supersonic cruise missile coastal batteries. India is also holding talks with other ASEAN countries, including Indonesia and Vietnam, for potential defence exports.

Besides the jointly developed BrahMos missile, India is offering the indigenous Akash air defence missile system. The Akash system can intercept a variety of aerial threats, including hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones, and subsonic cruise missiles, within a 25-kilometre range.

India’s latest naval deployments signal a growing effort to build trust and interoperability with key partners in Southeast Asia. As strategic competition intensifies in the Indo-Pacific, India is strengthening its maritime presence and defence cooperation across the region.

(With inputs from TOI)