Indian naval ships Sahyadri and Kulish completed a multinational maritime security exercise at Subic Bay in the Philippines on September 25. The five-day activity brought the frigate and missile corvette into practical cooperation organised through the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus framework.
The Philippine Navy hosted the exercise, with Japan serving as co-chair. Personnel began with expert discussions and planning ashore, including exchanges on maritime interaction guidelines and environmental protection. A tabletop exercise and sailing conference prepared participants for the coordinated operations at sea.
Sea drills covered search and rescue, hydrographic surveying, medical and casualty evacuation, helicopter deck qualifications and assistance to grounded vessels. Indian personnel also took part in a community programme in Zambales. The deployment gave the navy opportunities to practise coordination with regional partners across emergencies that can require several countries' ships to work together.