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Indian Navy guided missile stealth frigate the INS Sahyadri (F-49) and fleet support ship INS Shakti (A-57) are now in the Philippine to stage a four-day port visit until June 2. The Indian warships arrived in Subic Bay, Zambales earlier today.

The visit is in-line with the deepening cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Philippine Navy.

Four Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet warships which consist of two guided missile stealth frigates, fleet support ship, and guided missile corvette are in a 2 1/2-month long operational deployment to West Philippine Sea and North West Pacific. Two other Indian warships are guided missile stealth frigate INS Satpura and INS Kirch an indigenous guided missile corvette.

“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 earlier.

The warships of Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet were also scheduled to visit Cam Rahn Bay in Vietnam, Sasebo in Japan, Busan in South Korea, Vladivostok in Russia, and Port Klang in Malaysia.

“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.