A Philippine Navy Jose Rizal-class frigate (topmost), seen here carrying out the first MMCA exercise in the South China Sea on 7 April with (from the front) the US Navy’s USS
Mobile
, the JMSDF’s JS
Akebono
, and the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS
Warramunga
.
(Australian Department of Defence)

Naval vessels from four countries have completed an inaugural South China Sea exercise known as the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA).

The exercise was carried out on 7 April within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed in its official statement on the same day.

Taking part in the exercise were the Philippine Navy’s lead Del Pilar-class ship and second Jose Rizal-class frigate BRP
Antonio Luna
. The former was embarked with an AW109 helicopter while the latter was carrying an AW159 anti-submarine warfare-equipped helicopter.

Also involved were the US Navy’s Independence-class littoral combat ship (LCS) USS
Mobile
, the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac-class frigate HMAS
Warramung
a, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Murasame-class destroyer JS
Akebono
.