One of the strengths of India's top elite, inherited from the British colonizers, is that they are extremely sensitive to factors that could cause instability, and they are adept at exploiting such instability for national gain. This unique vision, combined with the ambition of a "big country with a voice", so although India itself is not so strong, it has always been able to seize the few opportunities to successfully disgust its neighbors, such as China and the Philippines have just had some friction in the South China Sea, and India has also come to the South China Sea to find trouble. A little over a week ago, December 13, IndiaNavy"Camulta" anti-submarineCorvetteThe day after arriving in Manila, with the PhilippinesNavyThe USS Ramon Alcaraz conducted a joint maritime exercise to demonstrate India's support for the Philippines while exposing New Delhi's attempts to meddle in the South China Sea.
However, judging by the ships sent by India, they did not send the main fleet, but only one anti-submarineCorvette。This has led to speculation as to why India has sent only one ship with questionable performance and not a main oneDestroyersWhat about it?Some people believe that India may be worried that the PLA will find out the details after sending its main fleet. However, there is a broader view that the move is India's intention to co-opt the Philippines against China while trying to open up the Philippine market.
The anti-submarine "Camor Tower" sent by IndiaCorvetteIt's IndiaNavyConstruction began in 2003 of a lightweightCorvette, similar to China's 056 light protection, butDisplacementIt has reached 3,500 tons and is capable of undertaking the task of guarding and patrolling the exclusive economic zone. Although the ship uses equipment from countries such as Italy, Russia, France and Canada, there are still many shortcomings, such as poor anti-submarine capabilities.
And the current capital ship of the Philippines is imported from South KoreaJosé Rizal class frigate, with 2600 tonsDisplacementThere are many kinds of equipmentsystems, such as 76mm naval guns, the South Korean-made "Starfish" anti-shipMissilesand the French "Mistral" air defenseMissilesWait. Although the configuration is good, the number is small, and the anti-submarine capabilities are relatively insufficient.
India sent an anti-submarine shipCorvetteThe joint exercises for the Philippines are intended to strengthen support for the Philippines and try to co-opt the Philippines against China. India may hope that through this move, on the one hand, it will consolidate its relations with the Philippines, and on the other hand, it will try to open up the Philippine market and sell light light products that are suitable for Philippine demand and are not highCorvette
However, whether the Philippines is willing to willNavyHanded over to India, there are still doubts. Although India is trying to take advantage of the BrahMos anti-ship that the Philippines has already orderedMissilesto integrate it in the PhilippinesJosé Rizal class frigateBut whether the Philippines trusts India's equipment is uncertain. In addition, IndiaNavySome of the jokes from the past have also raised questions about their abilities.
In general, the intent of cooperation between India and the Philippines is to counter China's influence in the South China Sea. And the United States may be behind this cooperation, trying to confine China to the South China Sea. In the future, we may see more similar situations unfolding in the South China Sea, depending on the actions and decisions of all parties.