The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has confirmed the presence of a Russian attack submarine in the vicinity of the disputed waters. Further details about the incident have been referred to the Philippine Navy, which has yet to issue a formal statement.
According to security sources, the submarine, identified as the Russian Navy’s Ufa, a Kilo II-class diesel-electric vessel, was first spotted on November 28, 148 kilometers west of Occidental Mindoro. Reports suggest that the submarine had entered the area after departing from Malaysia.
The Philippine Navy deployed an aircraft and a warship, the BRP Jose Rizal, to monitor the submarine’s movements. Although the Ufa remained surfaced and navigated slowly northward, it did not enter Philippine territorial waters.
The Ufa belongs to the Project 636.3 series, commonly referred to as “improved Kilo-class” submarines. Commissioned in 2022, the vessel measures 74 meters in length, has an operational range of 12,000 kilometers, and weighs 4,000 tons when submerged. Designed for stealth, these submarines are renowned for their minimal acoustic signatures and are capable of firing Kalibr cruise missiles, which have been extensively utilized by Russia in Ukraine.
The vessel is equipped to operate at an operational depth of 240 meters, with a maximum dive capability of 300 meters. These submarines can patrol for up to 45 days, making them a strategic asset in naval operations.
The Ufa’s presence in the region aligns with reports from the US Naval Institute News, which revealed that the submarine, accompanied by the rescue tug Alatau, had been operating in the South China Sea following a port visit to the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Kota Kinabalu Naval Base on November 23. Earlier in November, the submarine also visited Indonesia, marking its first appearance there.
This incident underscores the growing presence of foreign military assets in the WPS, a region already fraught with territorial disputes. While the Philippine Navy continues to track such activities, officials have not provided further information on the reasons for the submarine’s appearance or its implications for regional security.
The event highlights the increasing complexity of maritime dynamics in the South China Sea and raises questions about the strategic intentions of external powers operating in the area.