The Philippine Navy has commenced Operational Readiness and Capability Tests (ORACT) for its newest guided missile frigate, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), marking a critical step before the vessel achieves full operational status. These rigorous trials are designed to evaluate the ship and crew’s combat effectiveness across the full spectrum of naval warfare, aligning with the Navy’s doctrinal and operational benchmarks.
ORACT consists of four structured phases. It begins with a thorough inspection of all onboard combat and support systems, assessment of crew qualifications, and validation of tactical procedures. The second phase focuses on identifying performance gaps through repeated drills and warfare simulations. In phase three, technical and procedural deficiencies are addressed with the support of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Philippine Navy support units.
The final phase integrates all corrective actions into a streamlined operational framework to ensure long-term mission readiness. The test scenarios span Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), and Electronic Warfare (EW), simulating realistic combat environments.
