In a significant milestone for regional defence cooperation, India and the Philippines will conduct their first joint maritime drills in the South China Sea starting 3 August 2025, amid heightened tensions in the region driven by China’s assertive actions.
By Jarryd Sinovich
Described as a “maritime cooperative activity,” the exercises will take place as a group of visiting Indian Navy warships departs Manila Harbor, according to Indian Ambassador Shri Harsh Kumar Jain, who addressed diplomats, Philippine defence officials, and foreign attaches during a reception aboard the INS Shakti (A57) on 31 July.
“This historic visit of the Indian naval ships and the upcoming maiden maritime cooperation activity collectively set a positive tone for the state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to India next week,” said Jain. “It underscores the deepening partnership and expanding cooperation between our two nations.”
Indian Naval Presence in the Philippines
The visiting Indian Navy task group includes:
- INS Delhi (D61) – guided missile destroyer
- INS Shakti (A57) – fleet replenishment tanker
- INS Kiltan (P30) – anti-submarine warfare corvette
- INS Sandhayak (Yard 3025) – survey and surveillance vessel (arriving 1 August)
The ships began their port visit to Manila on 30 July, ahead of the joint drills, which mark a historic first for the two nations in maritime collaboration.
A Strategic Message
According to Jain, the visit of Indian naval ships “symbolizes our shared commitment to the freedom of navigation and a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.” Both countries occupy strategic geographic positions and face similar maritime security challenges, particularly amid continued tension in the South China Sea.
In 2023, India joined other nations in urging China to respect the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea—claims that have increasingly put Manila at odds with Beijing.
Philippines Emphasizes Regional Solidarity
Philippine Armed Forces Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. described the upcoming drill as a “coordinated patrol” and emphasized that it represents a “clear demonstration of our mutual resolve to safeguard freedom of navigation and uphold the law of the sea.”
“As we stand watch over a region vital to global trade and security, we do not do so in isolation, but in partnership with nations who share our values,” Brawner said.
The Philippines has previously conducted similar joint patrols with the United States, Australia, Japan, France, and Canada—a clear sign of Manila’s growing alignment with like-minded maritime democracies.
Deepening Defence Ties
India and the Philippines have significantly expanded their defence cooperation in recent years. This includes:
- Capacity-building initiatives
- Military education and training exchanges
- Intelligence and information sharing
In January 2022, the Philippines became the first foreign recipient of India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, under a landmark $374.9 million contract—a deal widely viewed as a cornerstone of their growing defence partnership.
Strategic Timing The maritime drills come just days ahead of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to India, underscoring the symbolic and strategic timing of the exercises. Both nations are positioning themselves as key stakeholders in ensuring a stable, rules-based maritime order amid rising geopolitical uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific.
