PH Navy ship detects Indian submarine during multilateral drills

MANILA, March 26 ------ The Philippine Navy’s guided missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-6) successfully detected an Indian Navy submarine during the anti-submarine warfare phase of the Exercise MILAN 2026.

According to Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Malvar was the only one among the participating warships that managed to locate the submarine during the drills held off Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh in India. “There were 33 warships from different nations involved,” Trinidad told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. “During the conduct of the [anti-submarine warfare], it was only our warship that was able to detect the submarine,” he added.

Submarine detection is considered one of the most complex operations in naval warfare, requiring advanced systems and highly trained personnel. “Our systems are not at par yet, not as high-end and modern as the other warships, but it was the individual sailor who was very keen on his job to be able to look for differences of sound propagation. Hence, they were able to detect,” the official said. “It is a highlight of the skill of the individual Filipino soldier and sailor,” he added.

Exercise MILAN 2026, held from February 17 to 26, gathered naval forces from multiple countries and underscored growing maritime cooperation among partner nations. It also marked the Philippine Navy’s first participation in the multinational drills.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com