The BRP Miguel Malvar, the newest and most advanced guided-missile frigate of the Philippine Navy (PN), is now sailing international waters in India to participate in what officials described as a historic first naval exercise.

In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said the PN deployed one of its Malvar-class guided missile frigates, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), to take part for the first time in the 3rd International Fleet Review (IFR26), hosted by the Indian Navy, as well as the Multilateral Naval Exercise (MILAN) 2026, which includes more than 20 participating countries, among them the United States.

Martinez said IFR26 serves as a platform for participating navies to exchange views and strengthen cooperation in support of peace, stability, and development in the Indo-Pacific region, while MILAN 2026 aims to enhance interoperability and operational coordination among participating forces.

“Pinapakita ng Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas ang dedikasyon sa pandaigdigang kooperasyon at kapayapaan sa rehiyon sa pamamagitan ng pakikilahok sa mahalagang naval exercises at fleet review,” Martinez said.

“Your Philippine Navy—because of its Vision 2040, which is to be a modern and multi-domain, self-reliant naval force and a credible partner in the region—has several initiatives not only to develop its warfare platforms but also to be involved in exercises and maritime cooperative activities. And one of these is, of course, the exercise in India,” she added.

Among the activities lined up for the events are subject matter exchanges, bilateral meetings, and multilateral exercises.

The country is represented by the lead ship of the Malvar-class guided missile frigates, BRP Miguel Malvar, with Capt. Paul Michael P. Hechanova PN(GSC) serving as commander of Naval Task Group 80.5.

“Demonstrating international maritime cooperation, the Philippine Navy conducted a send-off ceremony for Naval Task Group 80.5 on February 5, 2026,” Martinez said.