PH's first missile-capable vessel joins 'Rim of the Pacific' exercise

• BRP Jose Rizal makes maiden voyage
• Unique training opportunity for vessel’s team

The Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise, held only every two years in Honolulu, Hawaii, is the largest international maritime warfare drill, and not even the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic could stop the Philippine Navy (PN) from participating in it this year.

The RIMPAC 2020 officially started August 17, and it will run until August 31. Ten countries with 22 ships, one submarine, and around 5,300 naval personnel are participating in the drill.

At the center of the PN’s fleet is the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), the country’s first missile-capable vessel which is on its maiden voyage.  It was commissioned into service only last July 10, 2020, and was delivered to the PN on May 23, 2020 by South Korean shipmaker Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).

"This exercise is very important to the Philippine Navy because we would be able to test the capabilities of the BRP Jose Rizal," said Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, PN Flag-Officer in Command.

The frigate is the first missile-capable vessel of the PN. It measures 351 by 46 feet and weighs 2,600 tons. It has a speed of 25 knots or 46 km per hour, and can operate at sea for 30 days straight.

"It is like a shakedown cruise where our personnel will be able to see the ship's imperfections. Whatever imperfections they will observe, we can bring this up to the contractor for repair or modification," Bacordo explained.

For Captain Jerry Garrido Jr., skipper of BRP Jose Rizal, what's important is that the crew will be able to work together for the first time since most of them trained individually overseas to learn how to run the frigate.

"It will provide an opportunity for the officers and crew to work in conjunction as a team," he said.

Aside from the drills testing the four dimensions of warfare, there will also be maritime interdiction operations and live fire events to enhance the interoperability of the participating navies.

During these drills, the PN has to team up with the other contingents to delay, disrupt, or destroy enemy forces or supplies en route to the battle area before it can harm friendly forces.

Bacordo said the exercise will give the PN a "unique" training opportunity to enhance their proficiency and integrate with an international force. He added that this could improve their readiness "to contribute to a wide range of potential coalition operations."

10 countries

The countries participating in the exercise are Australia, Brunei, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Philippines, Singapore, and the host nation -- United States.

This was fewer compared to the 26 countries, 52 ships and submarines, and about 25,000 naval personnel who joined the RIMPAC 2018.

The PN contingent for this year is composed of 125 sailors, marines and other personnel who are aboard the military's brand new frigate, the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150).

At-sea-only event

To ensure the safety of the participants and the people of Hawaii from the virus, the RIMPAC 2020 is an "at-sea only" event and all shore-based events were scrapped. All the participants were also barred from leaving their ships when they arrived in Hawaii.

(Photos from Philippine Navy)