BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) undergoes second sea trials in December in South Korea. PHILIPPINE NAVY
The Philippine Navy (PN) has sent its missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) to join the inaugural Asean-India Maritime Exercise in Singapore from May 2 to 8.
The drills will feature harbor and at-sea events aimed at “enhancing interoperability and exchange of best practices among participating navies,” the Navy said in a statement.
The 140-man contingent of Naval Task Group 80.5 onboard BRP Antonio Luna was sent off by Fleet-Marine Ready Force commander Brig. Gen. Edwin Amadar at Naval Operating Base in Subic last Thursday.
The ship’s crew carried out a visit, board, seizure and search training— which simulates capturing enemy vessels for counterterrorism and combating smuggling and piracy—led by the Naval Special Operations Command while en route to Singapore, the Navy said.
The Philippine contingent will also attend the International Maritime Defense Exhibition Asia 2023 in Singapore, a major regional maritime defense show.
“The PN’s participation in this exercise fulfills the requirement to enhance the skills of its personnel with the influx of modern assets,” the Navy said.
The Navy’s participation in regional events came as it gears to host the second Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Multilateral Naval Exercise in Manila this month. INQ