Russian, US navy ships docked in Subic Bay

Two Russian and four American naval ships are now docked in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The Alligator-class landing ship Nikolay Vilkov, alongside one of Russia's most powerful tugboats and icebreakers Fotiy Krylov are now docked at the Rivera Pier.

The two are among five navy ships that have arrived in the Philippines to deliver military equipment donated by Russia, a statement from the Philippine Navy said. The Russian vessels will be staying at the port of Subic until October 25.

No details were available about the types of equipment donated, but President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier said Russia would provide 5,000 assault rifles to the Philippines.

The equipment has come ahead of a visit by Russia’s top defense official to the Philippines to sign a security deal.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will be joining next week’s meeting of 10 Southeast Asian defense ministers with counterparts from eight other countries, including the US, Russia and China, in the Philippines.

Four naval ships of the United States also arrived in the Freeport Saturday - Expeditionary fast transports USNS Millinocket (T-EPF-3) and USNS Fall River (T-EPF-4), as well as the USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) are now docked at the Alava Pier, while the replenishment oiler USNS Pecos is at anchorage in Subic Bay.

Also docked at the Alava Pier is the replenishment ship HMAS Sirius of the Royal Australian Navy. (SNL)

PHOTOS:

[1] Russia's Alligator-class landing ship the Nikolay Vilkov docked at the Rivera Pier in the Subic Bay Freeport. (photo c/o Mocking_Dyey's Instagram)

[2] The USNS Fall River docked at the Alava Pier

[3] As seen along Waterfront Road: The USNS Millinocket docked just behind the USNS Fall River, with Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Sirius berthed behind it at the Alava Pier of the Subic Bay Freeport.

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Japanese, American warships docked in Subic Bay

Two Japanese warships arrived in Subic Bay Wednesday (January 4) morning, joining five other U.S. navy ships docked in this Freeport since new year's day.

The Murasame-class destroyer JS Inazuma (DD-105) and Akizuki-class destroyer JS Suzutsuki (DD-117) of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) docked at the port of Subic for a three-day visit.



The ships are part of the Escort Division Four, commanded by Captain Atsushi Minami. JS Inazuma is commanded by Cdr. Soichiro Tashiro, while Cdr. Kentaro Nakayama commands the Suzutsuki.

This is the fourth port call of Japanese warships in Subic Bay. Japan's maritime force made its first goodwill visit to the Philippines after 15 years in early April last year with its submarine JS Oyashio (SS-511) and two destroyer ships, the JS Ariake (DD-109) and JS Setogiri (DD-156) docking in Subic Bay, followed by the visit of Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer, JS Ise in late April, 2016.



In the meantime, five U.S. ships docked and welcomed the new year here, to the delight of business establishments and residents in this former US Naval Base.

The USS Pecos, USNS Tippecanoe, USNS Cesar Chavez, USNS Impeccable and USNS Bowditch arrived without much fanfare nor announcement by the US Embassy in Manila.

In Manila, the Russian anti-submarine destroyer Admiral Tributs, along with the sea tanker Boris Butoma, anchored at South Harbor on Tuesday for a week long goodwill visit.

The Philippine Navy welcomed the two Russian warships, coinciding with Manila’s expressed readiness to shift from relying on the US as its sole and dominant partner in the Western Pacific.

The Russian marines are expected to discuss and share tactics to help combat terrorism and piracy in the region. Moscow is also eager to conduct joint military exercises with its Philippines counterparts in the future.

“There will be courtesy calls, tour of historical places within Manila and nearby Cavite province, capability demonstration, goodwill games, wreath laying, shipboard tour and send-off ceremony among others,” Capt. Lued Lincuna, a spokesman for the Philippine Navy, said.

Lincuna also noted that this is the third time a contingent of the Russian Navy has visited the Philippines. But it is the first visit by Russian navy ships since Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office last June. Russian ships docked in the Philippines in May 2016 and in January 2012. (SNL, with reports from Subic Bay News and RT.com)


PHOTOS:
[1] The Murasame-class destroyer JS Inazuma approaches the Alava pier of the Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales for a routine port call Wednesday (January 04) morning. Another Japanese warship, the JS Suzutsuki, an Akizuki-class destroyer also docked in this premier industrial port facing the West Philippine Sea for a 3-day port visit. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Sailors aboard the US Navy supply ship USNS Cesar Chavez hoist an American flag as the JS Inazuma approaches the Alava pier of Subic Bay Freeport zone in Zambales for a routine port call Wednesday (January 04) morning. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)


Subic Bay News: 5 US Ships Welcome New Year in Subic

https://www.rt.com/news/372611-russian-warships-visit-philippines/

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