PH Navy, PCG ships test interoperability with Singaporean, Italian vessels en route to RIMPAC
At A Glance
- The interoperability drills brought together PN frigate BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), PCG offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), the Republic of Singapore Navy ship RSS Steadfast (70), and the Italian Navy offshore patrol vessel ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere (P 434).
(Photo: Philippine Coast Guard)
Philippine Navy (PN) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels tested their combined readiness with international partners at sea, executing critical formation exercises while en route to the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2026 in Hawaii, the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise.
PN guided-missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06) and PCG offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) joined forces with the Republic of Singapore Navy ship RSS Steadfast (70) and the Italian Navy offshore patrol vessel ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere (P 434) for a Multi-National Group Sail on Saturday, June 6.
PCG spokesperson Capt. Noemie Cayabyab said the joint fleet successfully carried out screen cooperation, communications, and publication exercises while sailing toward Guam on Saturday, June 6.
The maneuvers were designed to test how effectively vessels from different countries could communicate and operate together at sea.
The PCG said the exercises highlighted the need for clear communication, precise maneuvering, and mutual trust among maritime forces operating in a multinational environment.
Those capabilities are particularly important during humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions as well as coordinated maritime law enforcement operations, where forces from different countries often work side by side, the PCG added.
The PCG’s participation marked its first involvement in the largest naval war games, placing the Coast Guard alongside the Navy in a rare overseas operational undertaking involving both maritime services.
Meanwhile, Capt. Ryan Bakabak, commander of the PN’s Naval Task Group 84, said BRP Miguel Malvar also led a coordinated patrol and systems readiness check with BRP Gabriela Silang and units under Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NFSL) as the Philippine contingent departed for RIMPAC on June 5.
During the patrol, BRP Miguel Malvar conducted communications checks with BRP Gabriela Silang while transiting the Philippine area of operations. The frigate also established contact with Naval Forces Southern Luzon as well as shore-based, air, and surface units for coordinated maritime patrol and maritime situational awareness.
The communications drills served as an early test of interoperability before the Philippine vessels joined other RIMPAC participants in the Pacific, Bakabak noted.
“This activity ensures that all members of both the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard contingent are well prepared and operationally ready for RIMPAC 2026,” Bakabak said.