INS Sahyadri reaches Philippines to enhance naval ties

The Indian Navy's INS Sahyadri arrived in Manila, Philippines Wednesday and made a courtesy port call to reinforce naval ties, a defence ministry statement said.

Navy officials said the indigenously built stealth frigate went to Manila after participating in RIMPAC 14 -- the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise -- and covering a distance of about 5,000 nautical miles (9,000 km).

The ship had sailed from Hawaii in the US Aug 2.

The frigate's arsenal includes long range anti-ship missiles, medium and short range surface-to-air missiles augmented by powerful guns of different calibres that provide a formidable shield against all types of threats.

Two multi-role helicopters on the ship act as force multipliers in all maritime scenarios due to their versatility and long range.

Commissioned July 21, 2012, INS Sahyadri is at present being commanded by Captain Jyotin Raina, and manned by 25 officers and 255 sailors of different specialisations.

During her stay at Manila, the ship will undertake operational turn around while the crew will participate in various events like professional inter-action, sports events and social fixtures.

Manila is a regular port of call for Indian naval ships, said navy officials.