According to information published by the Philippine News Agency on August 24, 2021, BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), the Philippine Navy's new guided-missile frigate, has joined two Indian Navy ships in a maritime exercise at the West Philippine Sea.
Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link
Guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay from BRP Antonio Luna frigate (Picture source: Philippine Navy)
The BRP Antonio Luna, guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay (D-55) and guided-missile corvette INS Kora (P-61) performed several operational maneuvers off the northwestern coast of Palawan.
The Indian Navy ships were deployed to improve maritime security coordination with partner nations such as the Philippines which India has had a long-standing relationship for 72 years.
Since 1998, regular visits by Indian navy vessels to the Philippines have highlighted the two maritime nation-states' defense cooperation.
The exercise was conducted in a contactless manner in compliance with the prevailing pandemic guidelines and health and safety protocols were strictly observed.
INS Kora is the lead ship of the Kora-Class of Corvettes in active service with the Indian Navy.
The corvettes are armed with a 76 mm (3.0 in) AK-176 dual-purpose gun and two 30 mm (1.2 in) AK-630 CIWS. The Ak-176 can fire at the rate of 120 rounds-per-minute (RPM) to a range of 15.5 km (9.6 mi), while the AK-630 can fire 3,000RPM to a range of 2 km (1.2 mi).
The Kora class is powered by two diesel engines driving two controllable pitch propellers through two shafts. Each engine is rated at 7,100 horsepower (5,300 kW). Four diesel alternators rated at 350kW are provided for power generation. The propulsion system provides a top speed of 25 kn (46 km/h; 29 mph), an average speed of 16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph) and a maximum range of 4,000 nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi).
