BRP Miguel Malvar Joins World's Largest Naval Exercise

The BRP Miguel Malvar departed from Subic Bay, Zambales, on June 4th, embarking on a two-month voyage to participate in RIMPAC 2026. This deployment represents the Philippine Navy's first involvement in the multinational exercise since 2022.

The mission involves 130 personnel, designated as Naval Task Group 84, underscoring the Philippines' commitment to enhancing its naval capabilities and role as a credible partner in international maritime security.

The deployment of the BRP Miguel Malvar aligns with the Philippine Navy's Sail Plan 2040, an ambitious strategy aimed at transitioning the fleet from aging patrol boats to modern blue-water operational capabilities. This plan seeks to enhance the Navy's capacity for sustained operations beyond coastal waters.

The participation in RIMPAC serves as a crucial live demonstration of this modernized fleet strategy, allowing the Philippine Navy to test its new assets and operational doctrines in a complex, multinational environment.

The BRP Miguel Malvar, built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea, was commissioned on May 20, 2025. It represents a significant upgrade for the Philippine Navy with a displacement of 3,200 tons and a top speed of 25 knots.

Its armament includes a 76mm main gun, vertical launching systems (VLS) for air defense missiles, and anti-ship missile launchers. This makes it the first Philippine warship class explicitly designed for long-range engagement against aircraft and missiles.

This new frigate class is a cornerstone of the Navy's modernization efforts, moving beyond basic patrol functions to comprehensive naval combat capabilities.

For the first time, the Philippine Coast Guard also participated in RIMPAC, with its vessel BRP Gabriela Silang joining the exercises. This dual service involvement marks an expanded scope of Philippine representation in the multinational event.

This participation also coincides with the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United States, highlighting strengthening defense cooperation between the two nations.

RIMPAC 2026 brought together an extensive array of international naval forces, with 30 nations participating in the exercise. The event involved 30 ships, 5 submarines, and 190 aircraft, showcasing a broad spectrum of naval capabilities.

Over 30,000 personnel were involved in the exercise, which took place between June 24 and July 31, making it the world's largest maritime exercise.

During its RIMPAC deployment, the BRP Miguel Malvar crew engaged in a series of rigorous operational drills designed to test its capabilities and interoperability. On July 11, the frigate conducted underway replenishment operations with the USNS Guadalupe, a critical skill for sustained blue-water operations.

The crew also participated in anti-submarine drills and multinational group sails, integrating with various allied navies. Furthermore, the frigate performed defensive counter-air exercises with advanced aircraft such as F-35s and FA-18s on July 16, honing its air defense responsiveness.

The BRP Miguel Malvar achieved an impressive third place in the Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) Rodeo, a highly competitive multinational live-fire event at RIMPAC 2026. This strong showing highlights the operational competence of the frigate and its crew.

Captain Marissa Martinez credited the success to the professionalism and skill of the Philippine Navy personnel aboard the BRP Miguel Malvar. The result is a testament to the crew's dedication and effective command of the new vessel.

The third-place finish in the NSFS Rodeo is particularly significant given the BRP Miguel Malvar only entered service in May 2025. The crew is still in the process of mastering a brand-new combat system.

Competing against navies with decades of experience in such exercises, this result validates the frigate's capabilities and the rapid adaptation of its crew to advanced naval warfare systems.

The Philippines' participation in RIMPAC this year focused on enhancing integration and operational proficiency rather than showcasing long-range strike capabilities. Manila did not take part in the sinking exercises (SINKEX) which involved the destruction of retired vessels like the USS Mobile Bay and USS Peleliu.

Instead, the Philippine involvement emphasized interoperability with multiple allied nations, including the US, Australia, and Japan, in various drills to improve collective maritime security.

The deployment of the BRP Miguel Malvar comes amidst an unprecedented surge in Chinese maritime presence around Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Data from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative indicates 933 ship days recorded by the China Coast Guard from January to June 2026.

Beijing has also deployed H-6K bombers and amphibious groups for drills near the shoal, further escalating tensions. This heightened activity underscores the strategic importance of the Philippine Navy's modernization efforts and its participation in international exercises.

In response to regional instability and the growing Chinese maritime presence, the Philippines is pursuing further naval modernization and fleet expansion. Talks are currently underway with Hyundai Heavy Industries for the acquisition of additional frigates.

The US is also assisting Manila by aiming to transfer asymmetric capabilities, including advanced attack drones, by 2027. This strategic shift acknowledges that the Philippines cannot match Beijing's fleet hull for hull and will need cheaper, more effective ways to complicate a much larger naval force.

The two-month deployment to RIMPAC 2026 allowed the BRP Miguel Malvar crew to gain invaluable experience, including practicing refueling at sea and coordinated air defense operations. The training also encompassed submarine hunting exercises conducted with Singaporean and US partners, enhancing interoperability in critical naval warfare areas.

This mission represents a major evolution for the Philippine Navy, which for decades relied on hand-me-down hulls from the Second World War. The deployment signifies a crucial transition towards operating and effectively fighting a modern warship alongside allies, which is the core objective of its modernization program.