INS Kadmatt (front) with BRP Ramon Alcaraz during their joint drill in West Philippine Sea. (Photo: Indian Navy)
New Delhi: Indian Navy’s corvette INS Kadmatt INS Kadmatt, which is currently on a long-range operational deployment in the West Philippine Sea, undertook a maritime partnership exercise with BRP Ramon Alcaraz of the Philippine Navy, on Wednesday. As India Sentinels reported on Thursday, INS Kadmatt arrived for a port call in the Philippines’ capital, Manila, on Tuesday.
The BRP Ramon Alcaraz is a Philippine Navy offshore patrol vessel named after Commodore Ramon Abacan Alcaraz, who was a Filipino naval war hero in World War II. The “BRP” in the warship’s name stands for “Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (Ship of the Republic of the Philippines),” just like the “INS” in INS Kadmatt stands for Indian Naval Ship.
The exercise saw both the warships conducting manoeuvre drills, replenishment at sea approaches, communication drills, etc. It also included flying operations by an Indian Navy helicopter. INS Kadmatt carries one chopper on board, which is either a Sea King Mk-42B or a HAL Dhruv.
INS Kadmatt (back) with BRP Ramon Alcaraz during their joint drill in West Philippine Sea. (Photo: Indian Navy)
The exercise culminated with a ceremonial steam past by the two warships.
The West Philippine Sea, where the joint maritime exercise was conducted, is the Philippines’ official name of a part of the disputed South China Sea. In a news release, the Indian Navy said the success of the exercise reflected the enhancement of interoperability and collaboration between the two navies.
INS Kadmatt (back) with BRP Ramon Alcaraz during their joint drill in West Philippine Sea. (Photo: Indian Navy)
This exercise comes at a time when tensions between the Philippines and China are at an all-time high over the South China Sea dispute, which recently witnessed non-lethal clashes between Philippine ships and Chinese coast guard and militia vessels. Earlier this month, a Chinese vessel collided with a Philippine vessel, which prompted Manila to lodge a strong protest with Beijing.
China has maritime disputes with almost every country in the South China Sea region.
