Indian Naval Ships INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish arrived at Subic Bay in the Philippines on September 20, 2026, as part of the Indian Navy’s operational deployment to participate in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Joint Cooperation Activity (JCA). The deployment brings the two Indian warships into a multilateral maritime engagement involving naval forces from ASEAN member states and the eight ADMM-Plus partner countries.
The ADMM-Plus provides a platform for defence establishments of ASEAN and its partner countries to enhance practical cooperation and strengthen mutual understanding on regional security issues. The Joint Cooperation Activity involving maritime forces is aimed at promoting greater operational interaction, coordination and interoperability among participating countries. For the Indian Navy, participation in such activities provides an opportunity to work alongside regional and international partner navies in a multilateral environment.
The arrival of INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish at Subic Bay also marks another step in India’s expanding maritime engagement with the Philippines. The two countries have been increasing defence and security cooperation in recent years, with regular interactions between their armed forces and growing engagement in the maritime domain. The deployment comes after India and the Philippines established a Strategic Partnership in August 2025, providing a broader framework for strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple areas.
The Indian Navy’s participation is also aligned with India’s Act East Policy and the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). Through operational deployments and multilateral naval activities, India continues to engage with countries across the Indo-Pacific and promote cooperation in areas related to maritime security, capacity building and regional stability.
During the deployment, Indian naval personnel are expected to undertake professional interactions and engagements with personnel from participating navies. Such activities help enhance familiarity with operating procedures, improve coordination and provide participating forces with an opportunity to exchange operational experiences. These interactions are particularly relevant as maritime forces across the Indo-Pacific increasingly cooperate on common maritime security challenges.
INS Sahyadri is a Shivalik-class stealth guided missile frigate of the Indian Navy, while INS Kulish is a Kora-class guided missile corvette. Both warships are designed for a range of maritime operations and have been regularly deployed for India’s naval engagements with friendly and partner countries.
The deployment of the two ships to the Philippines reflects the Indian Navy’s continuing operational outreach across the Indo-Pacific. Their participation in the ADMM-Plus Joint Cooperation Activity is expected to contribute to stronger maritime linkages among participating countries while supporting India’s broader efforts to deepen defence and maritime cooperation with regional partners.
As India continues to expand its naval engagement with ASEAN and other Indo-Pacific countries, such multilateral activities remain an important avenue for developing professional relationships, enhancing interoperability and promoting practical cooperation among maritime forces.