PH, Japan, US hold 15th maritime drill in West Philippine Sea

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), together with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), conducted the 15th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) from 20 to 26 February 2026 in the West Philippine Sea.

Philippine assets included BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) with an embarked AW159 helicopter, as well as Philippine Air Force aircraft such as FA-50 fighter jets, C-208B, A-29 Super Tucano and a Sokol search-and-rescue helicopter. The Philippine Coast Guard deployed BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV 8301).

Japan contributed a P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, while the United States deployed USS Dewey (DDG 105) and a P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

Exercise activities included a Communications Check Exercise (COMMEX), Maritime Domain Awareness drills, Replenishment at Sea (RAS), joint air patrols, fly-bys, division tactics maneuvers, a photo exercise, and an Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise.

A live-fire gunnery exercise was conducted by BRP Antonio Luna to validate targeting accuracy and combat readiness. The activity concluded with a hotwash and finish exercise to evaluate performance and capture lessons for future operations.

The February activity marked the second MMCA of the year and aimed to enhance interoperability and maritime security cooperation among the three countries.