Indian Navy showcases one of its warships docked in Manila

The Indian Navy showcased one of its warships that docked at a pier in Manila on  Wednesday.

The INS Kadmatt (P29), a Kamorta class anti-submarine corvette will hold maritime exercises with the Philippine Navy patrol ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16).

The Kadmatt’s arrival on Wednesday coincides with the 1st Indo-Pacific Perspectives on Autonomous Weapons System Conference.,

India claims the vessel can help the Philippines in protecting its territorial waters.

According to a 24 Oras report by JP Soriano on Wednesday, the  3,000 ton Kadmatt is designed to detect submarines, which may be useful in light of the ongoing tensions between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea.

“We fully support our Philippine friends in their efforts to ensure that whatever happens in the sea respects the constitution of the seas, the UNCLOS, and various associated agreements and outcomes,” said Indian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Shambu Kumaran.

India is the recent addition to countries supporting the Philippines, especially during a time of tension in the West Philippine Sea. 

Meanwhile, a top US military official is in talks with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. according to AFP chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr.

“Willing silang tumulong sa atin dahil nga dun sa ating mutual defense treaty. Nakaasad dun na [if] an armed attack happens on anyone of us, the other party to that treaty should be able to support the other,” said Brawner Jr.

(The Americans are willing to help us because of the mutual defense treaty. The treaty states that if an armed attack happens… the other party to that treaty should be able ti support the other.)
 

The firing of water cannons, however, is not considered an armed attack and therefore not an “act of War.

The 1st Indo-Pacific Perspectives on Autonomous Weapons System Conference will be
held in Manila until Thursday and will focus on arms as well as the threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in operating weapons.

“The most apparent risk arising from the development of machines and weaponry that are potentially lethal and can operate without meaningful human control ran by algorithms that are empowered to undertake decisions involving human life and death,” said Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

The event, organized by the Department of National Defense (DND) and international NGO Nonviolence International Southeast Asia (NiSEA) has participants from 26 countries and territories.—Jiselle Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News