India sends warships to Philippines for joint South China Sea patrol

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.

Currently docked at the Port of Manila, the Indian Navy warships – INS Mysore (D60), a guided missile destroyer, INS Kiltan (P30), an anti-submarine warfare corvette, and INS Shakti (A57), a fleet tanker – will participate in the joint sail from August 4 to August 8, including in waters contested by Manila and Beijing.

The drill will coincide with a scheduled visit by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr to India over the same period, where he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold discussions. During his first visit to India since assuming office, Marcos Jnr will also meet Indian President Droupadi Murmu, while External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will call on the Philippine leader.

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.

The coordinated maritime patrol, part of the Indian navy’s ongoing operational deployment across Southeast Asia, reflects a united front presented by New Delhi and Manila as tensions continue to rise in the contested waters amid China’s growing influence.

At the arrival ceremony on Wednesday, Rear Admiral Susheel Menon, the flag officer commanding India’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.

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Филиппины Военные Действия

Южная Китай Развертывание Индия военный корабль совместный патрон морской Южно-Китайское море военно-морской патрулирование