PH Navy tests antimissile decoy in West Philippine Sea

BRP Antonio Luna releases bullfighter chaffs during drills off Zambales in the West Philippine Sea on May 19, 2023. INQUIRER.net/John Eric Mendoza

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy on Wednesday said it tested its antimissile decoy in the West Philippine Sea amid tensions in the western section of the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Joining the second unilateral drill of the Navy’s Philippine Fleet last month were the 107-meter missile-guided frigates BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), along with patrol ships BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) and BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS17).

“This kind of naval exercise between ships is a cornerstone of modern maritime strategy, reflecting the complexity and dynamism of naval operations,” the Navy said in a statement.

“These exercises are essential for ensuring that the fleet and the Navy remain capable, adaptive, and prepared for a wide range of operations,” it added.

The PS16 test fired its Super Rapid Blooming Offboard Chaff to protect itself against missiles.

READ: Marcos witnesses PH Navy’s weapon systems demo in West Philippine Sea

Chaffs and decoys in modern naval warfare are meant to confuse radar-guided or infrared-guided missiles.

Such equipment creates a cloud of smoke as it releases fine, lightweight metal fibers to create a radar signature similar to the ship, making it difficult for enemy radar to distinguish between the real ship and the decoy.

The three other warships joined the live fire exercises, with the FF151 demonstrating its 76mm gun and the PS16 and PS17 showcasing their 30mm Bushmaster guns.

The drills also saw an anti-submarine warfare scenario with the NV395 as maritime patrol aircraft and the AW159 Wildcat helicopter utilizing its onboard dipping sonar to assist in locating and neutralizing the mock submarine target.

Manila is holding the line in the West Philippine Sea with Beijing conducting what the former deems as harassment against its maritime operations, particularly in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, and most recently in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal.

Beijing asserts sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea — including most of the West Philippine Sea — even if such a claim has been effectively invalidated by the arbitral award issued in July 2016.

The landmark ruling stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013, a year after its standoff with Beijing at Panatag Shoal.