Summary
- India and the Philippines conducted their first joint naval drill within Manila’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea.
- The drill follows growing defense ties and is aimed at reinforcing freedom of navigation amid China’s expansive maritime claims.
- Strategic cooperation aligns with India’s Act East policy and Manila’s new defense posture under President Marcos Jr.
Maritime Muscle Amid Rising Regional Tensions
The India Philippines naval drill in the contested South China Sea marks a historic milestone in Asia-Pacific security dynamics. As China increases its military presence and coercive tactics in the region, nations like India and the Philippines are bolstering bilateral defense ties to assert maritime sovereignty and uphold international law. The August 2025 exercise involved Indian Navy warship INS Kiltan and a Philippine Navy corvette, operating in coordination within Manila’s Exclusive Economic Zone, an area where Chinese aggression has recently intensified.
The India Philippines naval drill is not just a routine show of naval strength, it is a calculated diplomatic signal. Framed within India’s Act East policy and the Philippines’ reassertion of its sovereign maritime rights, the exercise reinforces the right to freedom of navigation in international waters, a principle under threat from China’s aggressive claims over nearly the entire South China Sea.
By concluding the drill in waters repeatedly patrolled by Chinese vessels, both nations have sent a bold message. Regional players will no longer be passive in the face of unilateral maritime expansion. The significance of the India Philippines naval drill lies in its timing, its location, and its broader geopolitical context.
Forging a New Chapter in Naval Diplomacy
- First-ever joint drill held within Manila’s Exclusive Economic Zone
- Indian warship INS Kiltan engages in coordinated operations with Philippine naval assets
The India Philippines naval drill represents more than a one-off engagement. It is the formalization of a growing maritime partnership forged through shared concerns over regional security. For India, it reflects a deepening of strategic relations in Southeast Asia, especially with countries directly affected by China’s claims in the South China Sea. For the Philippines, it is a shift away from diplomatic hesitation and toward a more assertive defense posture.
INS Kiltan, a modern anti-submarine warfare corvette under India’s Project 28, was deployed to conduct tactical maneuvers and communication drills with the Philippine Navy. The location, within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, was no accident. In recent months, Chinese Coast Guard ships have increasingly harassed Philippine fishing vessels in these very waters, prompting Manila to seek broader strategic partnerships.
The India Philippines naval drill follows a high-level visit by Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to New Delhi in 2023, where defense cooperation emerged as a key agenda. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ 2023–24 annual report, both countries committed to enhanced maritime domain awareness, joint patrols, and technology sharing. The naval exercise is the first major implementation of that promise.
India’s presence in the South China Sea is not new. It has conducted similar drills with Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore. However, the inclusion of the Philippines, a frontline state in the maritime dispute, marks a new phase in India’s Indo-Pacific outreach. Through the India Philippines naval drill, India is reinforcing its commitment to a multipolar maritime order.
Beyond the Headlines: Legal Frameworks and Tactical Signals
- Philippines invokes UNCLOS ruling to justify EEZ sovereignty
- India emphasizes rule-based order in the Indo-Pacific through military diplomacy
While much attention has been placed on the visual show of force, there are deeper and often overlooked dimensions to the India Philippines naval drill. One critical dimension is the role of international law. The Philippines has consistently cited the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which rejected China’s expansive nine-dash line claim. Despite China’s dismissal of the verdict, it remains a foundational legal shield for the Philippines.
India, too, underscores the importance of a rule-based international order. Indian Navy officials stressed that the exercise was fully consistent with international law and aligned with the broader goals of regional stability. As such, the India Philippines naval drill served not only as a military maneuver but also as a reassertion of the principles enshrined in international maritime law.
Both countries are enhancing their maritime surveillance capabilities. The Philippines has begun implementing a coastal radar network with support from Japan and the United States. India continues to expand its white shipping agreements to track non-military vessels across the Indo-Pacific. During the India Philippines naval drill, this infrastructure enabled seamless coordination and real-time data exchange between naval units.
The Philippines’ Department of National Defense described India as a trusted partner in peace and deterrence. This language reflects a deliberate move away from confrontation and toward cooperative deterrence, a tone that many ASEAN members may find more acceptable amid rising tensions.
Geopolitical Risks and Strategic Calculations
- China’s response may include aggressive maritime actions and diplomatic protest
- Some ASEAN nations may view the drill as undermining regional neutrality
Despite its strategic promise, the India Philippines naval drill introduces several complex challenges. Chief among them is the expected reaction from China. Beijing has already issued a statement condemning what it calls foreign military interference in Chinese waters, even though the drill occurred well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone. In response, China may increase patrols, intensify harassment of Philippine vessels, or shadow Indian warships in future deployments.
This development could also affect ASEAN’s internal dynamics. While the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia support a more assertive approach toward China, countries like Cambodia and Laos remain closely aligned with Beijing. These divisions may complicate ASEAN consensus and weaken the bloc’s collective position on the South China Sea.
Another concern is the potential for unintended maritime incidents. Exercises in contested waters always carry the risk of accidents or misinterpretation. A minor collision or signaling error during a future India Philippines naval drill could escalate into a larger crisis.
Domestically, the Philippines is seeing a shift in strategic direction. President Marcos Jr. has shown a clear pivot from the conciliatory stance of his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, choosing to strengthen security ties with democratic nations like India. This approach could face internal political scrutiny, especially from sectors wary of antagonizing China, a key trade partner.
Long-Term Implications and Regional Vision
- India and Philippines may conduct recurring naval exercises and expanded patrols
- Bilateral drills could evolve into wider Indo-Pacific cooperative frameworks
The India Philippines naval drill is likely the first in a series of future joint military engagements. Indian defense officials have indicated interest in conducting similar drills with multilateral partners, potentially including Australia, Japan, and ASEAN observers. This could give rise to a flexible coalition model that allows regional states to collaborate without binding security treaties.
India’s Indo-Pacific policy has consistently promoted maritime partnerships based on transparency and mutual respect. The Philippines’ increasing openness to such cooperation indicates a convergence in security outlooks. At the upcoming ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus forum, India and the Philippines may present a joint framework to scale these exercises.
Strategic think tanks like the Indian Council of World Affairs suggest that such bilateral exercises form the building blocks of a larger maritime architecture that respects sovereignty and deters unilateral aggression. The India Philippines naval drill, in this context, acts as a catalyst for deeper alignment in the Indo-Pacific.
Additionally, Manila is considering procurement of Indian defense technology, including radar systems and the BrahMos missile platform. If these deals materialize, interoperability between the two navies will increase significantly, giving greater depth to future India Philippines naval drills.
A New Era in Indo-Pacific Naval Alignment
The India Philippines naval drill has redefined how nations in the region assert their maritime rights. Sailing through contested waters, India and the Philippines have demonstrated a unified resolve to protect sovereignty and uphold international law. The drill is not merely symbolic, it is a declaration that smaller powers can act together to balance regional hegemonies.
This collaborative approach is likely to resonate with other nations feeling the pressure of Chinese expansionism. It also cements India’s role as a responsible stakeholder in Indo-Pacific security and positions the Philippines as an active player in shaping the region’s maritime future.
Whether this alignment matures into a broader coalition or remains limited to bilateral drills, the momentum created by the India Philippines naval drill is undeniable. It has sent a message across the seas: maritime sovereignty will be defended, not surrendered.
