BRP Jose Rizal stuns in successful fires Mistral-3 missiles in historic Navy drill
On Monday, April 28, 2025, the Philippine Navy made headlines as its warship BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) fired two Mistral-3 surface-to-air missiles in San Antonio waters and targeted the aerial targets accurately. The Philippine Fleet supported the independent drill, which was being monitored by high-ranking officers, and was not part of the Balikatan joint exercises.
The exercise launched, held just days before the Navy’s 127th anniversary, marked a milestone for the country’s maritime defense. The BRP Jose Rizal, considered the flagship of the fleet, successfully launched the missiles and neutralized two drone targets provided by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability (PMTEC) and Threat Systems Management Office (TSMO).
Rear Admiral Joe Anthony Orbe, Fleet Commander, monitored the test live from Subic, accompanied by unit commanders and technical staff. The exercise was also observed onboard by Commodore Raul Regis, who oversaw the simulation as the head of the Offshore Combat Force and commander of the Naval Task Force.
“This historic firing which validated the effectiveness of a new capability for the Philippine Navy and the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines was witnessed, in real-time, at the Philippine Fleet Headquarters in Subic where Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Joe Anthony Orbe, along with his unit commanders and staff were monitoring and communicating with participating units through the aid of various Command and Control Systems,” the Navy said in its statement.
BRP Jose Rizal takes center stage in the Philippine Navy’s journey toward modernizing its operations. As part of the test, the missile frigate demonstrated its ability to respond swiftly to aerial threats using state-of-the-art weaponry. The Mistral-3 system, developed by the French defense firm MBDA, is a short-range missile renowned for its fire-and-forget capability. This means that once launched, it independently tracks and destroys its target without further guidance from the operator.
The Philippine Navy also shared that this capability further strengthens airspace security and adds strategic deterrence in key maritime zones. Supporting the test were other naval units including the BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), missile gunboat BRP Albert Majini (PG-909), coastal patrol vessel BRP Rafael Pargas (PG-379), and surveillance assets from MUARS Flight Bravo’s ScanEagle UAS.
Although BRP Jose Rizal had already participated in a simulated Integrated Air and Missile Defense exercise on April 27 under Balikatan 2025, Monday’s live-fire test was completely separate. It demonstrated that the Navy is not only participating in joint exercises but also actively sharpening its warfighting skills.
According to the Navy, the missiles used in the drill were delivered and installed in both BRP Jose Rizal and its sister ship, BRP Antonio Luna, back in October 2021. Their activation during this recent exercise affirms that the system is fully integrated and operational.
Also in attendance during the live-fire event were representatives from the Army Artillery Regiment and members of the technical working group for the Short-Range Air Defense Project, signaling potential collaboration across the country’s military branches.
As tensions rise in regional waters, the Philippines is demonstrating to the world that it is serious about protecting its sovereignty. With the BRP Jose Rizal now proving its missile systems in actual drills, the Navy continues to move closer to its vision of a stronger, more agile force ready to defend the nation’s archipelagic interests.
Image: Screengrab via PN video
