Two ships of the Philippine Navy (PN) spearheaded a maritime exercise held in different parts of Luzon recently which involved six member-states from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

(ASEAN navy vessels are seen steaming in formation during the conduct of the at-sea phase of AMNEX 2023. Courtesy of Philippine Navy)

BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), a missile-capable frigate, and BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS17), an offshore patrol vessel, joined seven other warships from Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam during the at-sea phase of the 2nd ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX) conducted from May 13 to 14 off the waters near Grande Island in Zambales and Lubang Island in Bataan.

Other participants included KRI Gusti Ngurah Rai (Indonesia), HTMS Pattani (Thailand), KDB Daruttaqwa and KDB Afiat (Brunei), RSS Supreme (Singapore), KD Lekiu (Malaysia), and Tran Hung Dao (Vietnam).

“The two-day phase was composed of exercises and maneuvers designed to enhance interoperability and maritime responsiveness, improve synchronization and communication, and develop mutual trust and understanding among participants in the conduct of maritime operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR),” Capt. Benjo Nengranza, PN spokesperson, said on Monday, May 15.

Such exercises included Photo Exercise (PHOTOEX), Maritime Search and Rescue (MSAR), Publication Exercise (PUBEX), Flash Exercise, Deck Landing Qualification (DLQ), Night Steaming in Company (NSIC), Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), and Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO) with Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS).

(An AS565 helicopter of the Indonesia Navy landed on BRP Antonio Luna during a deck landing qualification exercise serial of AMNEX 2023. Courtesy of Philippine Navy)

According to Negranza, the AMNEX allows and capacitates ASEAN navies to respond to common regional maritime threats and challenges through interoperability, maritime responsiveness, and readiness.

“It likewise provides a platform for the PN to further the conduct of naval diplomacy as one of the effective tools to promote interests and uphold territorial integrity,” he noted.

The second iteration of the AMNEX began on May 12 and concluded on Tuesday, May 16.

The PN’s hosting of the event enabled them to test the systems of their assets and enhance their personnel’s capacity. 

This also allowed them to reinforce cooperation with ASEAN counterparts to address emerging maritime challenges in the Southeast Asian region.