WW2 warship to be sunk as part of Balikatan 2025

A decommissioned Philippine Navy warship of World War II vintage will be sunk as part of Balikatan 2025.

In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the ex-BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19) will be the target during a maritime strike. Taking part in the exercise are assets from the Philippine Air Force, US Air Force, US Marine Corps and the Australian Defense Force employing a variety of ordnance. 

The Miguel Malvar was constructed in 1944 as USS Brattleboro (PCE(R)-852), and later saw service in the Republic of Vietnam Navy before escaping to the Philippines after the fall of Saigon in 1975. The Philippine Navy commissioned the former South Vietnamese vessel as a corvette a year later. The Malvar was decommissioned in 2021 as one of the last World War II-era warships to leave PN service.

Previous iterations of Balikatan have seen its share of sinking exercises. In 2023, the ex-BRP Pangasinan was sunk after the old corvette was hit by several air-dropped bombs and artillery rounds in the South China Sea. Last year, the Philippine Navy’s newest frigate, BRP Jose Rizal, fired its first anti-ship missile against the former BRP Lake Caliraya, a Chinese-built tanker off Ilocos Norte.  

The Philippine and US militaries kicked off Monday three weeks of joint exercises that will simulate a "full-scale battle scenario," as the two allies seek to deter to Beijing's ambitions in the disputed South China Sea.

Around 17,000 troops are expected to take part in this year’s Balikatan which for the first time will include an integrated air and missile defense simulation to be attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. —RF, GMA Integrated News