Zambales: The Philippine Navy (PN) on Thursday formally sent off Naval Task Group 84, the contingent aboard guided-missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), which will take part in this year's "Rim of the Pacific" (RIMPAC) Exercise 2026 to be held in and around the waters of Hawaii from June 24 to July 31. Send-off ceremonies took place at Naval Operating Base-Subic, Zambales, with Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta spearheading the event.
According to Philippines News Agency, the ceremony is important since the last ship deployment to RIMPAC dates back to 2022. The return to this multinational activity highlights the Philippines' commitment to becoming a credible partner under the Sail Plan 2040 vision. The participation aims to strengthen maritime cooperation with partner nations and navies to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Representing the PN at this year's exercise is BRP Miguel Malvar, with a contingent of naval personnel who will take part in a series of professional exchanges and operational activities alongside naval forces from participating nations. This year's exercise also marks the inaugural participation of the Philippine Coast Guard in RIMPAC, deploying the offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), which underscores strengthened interagency maritime cooperation and a more integrated Philippine representation in multinational maritime engagements.
RIMPAC is recognized as the world's largest maritime exercise, held biennially. Vice Admiral Ezpeleta expressed confidence that the sailors and marines will demonstrate excellence and a forward-looking mindset, representing a new era of maritime capability for the Philippines.
The U.S. Pacific Fleet noted that this year's RIMPAC will bring together 31 nations, featuring a multinational force of approximately 40 surface ships, five submarines, 140 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel. The exercise will cover capabilities including amphibious operations, gunnery and missile proficiency, anti-submarine warfare, air defense exercises, military medicine, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, counter-piracy, mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving and salvage operations.
