Indian stealth frigates arriving in Philippines

From Update.Ph (May 20): Indian stealth frigates arriving in Philippines  

Four Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet warships which consist of two guided missile stealth frigates, fleet support ship, and guided missile corvette are set to arrive in Philippines within the warship’s 2 1/2-month long operational deployment to West Philippine Sea and North West Pacific.

“In a demonstration of its operational reach and commitment to India’s ‘Act East’ policy, the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet, under the command of Rear Admiral SV Bhokare, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, sailed out on 18 May 16 on a 2½ month long operational deployment to the South China and North West Pacific,” the Indian Navy said in a press release.

The warships of Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet will make port calls at Cam Rahn Bay in Vietnam, Subic Bay in Philippines, Sasebo in Japan, Busan in South Korea, Vladivostok in Russia, and Port Klang in Malaysia.

The Indian Navy said indigenously built guided missile stealth frigates, IN Ships Satpura and Sahyadri, commanded by Captain AN Pramod and Captain KS Rajkumar respectively, INS Shakti, a sophisticated fleet support ship, commanded by Capt Gagan Kaushal and INS Kirch an indigenous guided missile corvette commanded by Commander Sharad Sinsunwal are participating in this deployment.

“The visits to each port will last four days and are aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing inter-operability between the navies. During the stay in harbour, various activities such as official calls and professional interaction between naval personnel of both the nations have been planned,” it added.

The Indian warships are also joining the MALABAR-16, a trilateral naval exercise joined by US, Japan, and India. Originally a MALABAR is between India and the US, Japan became a permanent partner in 2015.

http://www.update.ph/2016/05/indian-stealth-frigates-arriving-in-philippines/5841