NEW DELHI, 24 August 2021, (TON): Continuing with its deployment in Western Pacific, including in the South China Sea, the Indian Navy carried out a Maritime Partnership Exercise with the Philippine Navy.

Two Indian warships, INS Ranvijay, Guided Missile Destroyer, D55 and INS Kora, Guided Missile Corvette, P61, on deployment to the Western Pacific participated in the exercise with BRP Antonio Luna, Frigate, FF 151 of the Philippine Navy in the West Philippine Sea.

The Navy said in a statement “Joint evolutions conducted during the exercise included several operational manoeuvres and the participating ships of both navies were satisfied with the consolidation of interoperability achieved through this operational interaction at sea.”

It said “Indian naval ships are “currently deployed to the Western Pacific with an aim to strengthen maritime security collaboration with partner nations.”

It further added that interaction with the Philippines’s warship was “an enriching opportunity for the Indian Navy to consolidate its bilateral relations with the Philippine Navy”.

In compliance with the prevailing pandemic guidelines, the exercise was conducted in contactless manner and all necessary health and safety protocols were strictly observed.