Philippines evaluates naval offers from five countries

The Philippines Navy has received defence asset offers from five countries as part of its plan to boost maritime security and upgrade the armed forces capabilities, Philippines Defence undersecretary Fernando Manalo has revealed.

Speaking to reporters, Manalo was quoted by The Philippine Star as saying that participating countries include South Korea, Spain, Israel, Croatia and Australia.

Details on the type of naval platforms, which were proposed in the fourth quarter of 2012, were not disclosed.

The Philippines Government is currently considering two Maestrale-class frigates that were offered by Italy in January 2012.

"We are evaluating the Maestrale and doing due diligence for whether the Maestrale will really provide us the capability that we need."

"We are evaluating the Maestrale and doing due diligence [for] whether the Maestrale will really provide us the capability that we need, whether Maestrale is economical in the long-term," Manalo added.

The country originally intended to finalise a contract with Italy before the end of 2012, but it was delayed for unknown reasons.

Featuring anti-aircraft, anti-ship and anti-submarine capabilities, the missile-firing Maestrale-class frigate were commissioned in 1982 by the Italian Navy.

Meanwhile, Philippines President Aquino had signed the new armed forces of the Philippines modernisation law, aimed to enhance the military capabilities that have been seriously depleted due to shortage of resources.

Around PHP75bn ($1.83bn) has been funded for the first five years of the capability upgrade programme.

The US Navy had delivered BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15) to the Philippines Navy in 2012, while the second ship of the class, BRP Ramon Alcaraz, is expected to be delivered in April 2013.

Philippine looking to 6 countries for new frigates

At least six countries are now competing for a contract to supply the Philippine armed forces with two frigates, which would significantly bolster the country's maritime defense capability.

Defense undersecretary for finance, munitions, installations and materiel Fernando Manalo said that five countries – South Korea, US, Israel, Croatia and Australia – had made their own offers towards the end of last year.

The Defense Department had initially considered acquiring Maestrale class frigates, which are currently used by the Italian Navy, for P11.7 billion.

Manalo said the five countries decided to participate in the acquisition process because they believed that the Philippine government is “really serious” in modernizing its armed forces.

“They can be treated as competitors,” said Manalo, adding that some of the frigates offered by the five countries are brand new.

Based on an initial study, Manalo said the Italian frigates can provide “the capability that we need in the West Philippine Sea, the minimum credible deterrence that we need the can be provided by the two Maestrales.”

According to naval defense industry website, naval-technology.com, the Maestrale class are 3,200 ton frigates first used by the Italian Navy, the Marina Militare, in 1982. Though primarily an anti-submarine platform, it also possess anti-aircraft warfare (AAW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities. Italy is currently facing-out the Maestrale for a newer class firgate.

As configured for the Italian Navy, the Maestrale has a 127 mm auto-cannon capable of firing 40 rounds per minute with a range of 30 kms. It also has two twin-40 mm DARDO close-in weapon systems as well as anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes tubes.

The frigate has a 47 m wide flight deck aft, as well as a hanger that can house two helicopters.

But given the new offers, the undersecretary said that the National Defense Department is developing a matrix that will compare the Maestrales with the frigates that are being offered by the other countries.

“The process is just to validate our initial market research we conducted about Maestrale being the best deal,” Manalo explained.  “For example, if it comes out in our validation that there are reasons to... look into this offer [from the other five countries], we have to look into this offer, not necessarily disregarding [the Italian offer].”

“Its a process of doing due diligence so that we’ll not commit a mistake. This does not involve only one million or a hundred million, but billions of pesos. We cannot afford to make a mistake,” Manalo said.

The West Philippine Sea, or the South China Sea, contains both the Spratly Islands and the Panatag Shoal, the ownership of which the Philippines is disputing, mainly, with China.

Naval Helicopters to be Delivered by 2014

With the signing of the contract of agreement for the Philippines' three naval helicopters a done deal, the Dept. of National Defense expects the aircraft to be delivered and commissioned by 2014.

This is expected to gain impetus with the submission of the letter of credit to the manufacturer, AugustaWestland S.P.A., within the first quarter of 2013.

Upon receipt of this document, the helicopter builder and supplier has 365 working days to deliver the aircraft to the Philippines.

DND observers said they see no problem with the submission of the needed documents, adding that the waiting period for this will be quite short.

Earlier, the DND announced that the contract of agreement for the three naval helicopters were finally signed last Dec. 20.

The three rotary wing aircraft has a net price of P1,337,176,584.

The contract was signed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and supplier AugustaWestland S.P.A.

The acquisition project was done under negotiated procurement through Section 53.2 (Emergency Procurement) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9184.

“The acquisition of these naval helicopters is one concrete step towards the fulfillment of our goal to modernize the Philippine Navy, and our Armed Forces in general,” DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said.

On Nov. 28, AugustaWestland was declared by the Naval Helicopter Acquisition Project Negotiating Committee as the single calculated and responsive proponent after going through the process of a negotiated procurement.


The Italian Ministerio Della Difesa conducted a review of AugustaWestland’s proposal for the procurement of AW 109 Power Helicopter, including related logistic support and found out that the price per helicopter “seems to have been progressively reduced”, meaning they were sold cheaper.

The AW-109 a twin-engine, eight-seat multipurpose chopper.

First flown as the Agusta A109 in 1971, the craft has proven itself in light transport, medevac, search-and-rescue, and military roles.

It has a crew of one or two pilots and is capable of carrying seven to eight passengers and length of 42 feet 9 inches (13.04 meters).

The AW-109 has a rotor diameter 36 feet 2 inches (11.00 meters).

It has height of 11 feet 6 inches (3.50 meters).

The AW-109's powerplant consist of two Pratt & Whitney Canada 206C or Turbomeca Arrius 2K1 turboshafts, 567 hp or 571 hp (423 kW or 426 kW) each.

It has a maximum speed: 177 miles per hour (154 knots, 285 kilometers/hour).

It has ferry range: 599 miles (521 nautical miles, 964 kilometers) and a service ceiling: 19,600 feet (6,000 meters).

 The AW-109 also has a rate of climb: 1,930 feet per minute (9.8 meter per second).

Upon the recommendation of the DND Bids and Awards Committee, the Secretary of National Defense issued a notice of award last Dec. 4.

“With the other projects in the pipeline and our planned acquisition, we are now louder and clearer in our intent to upgrade the capability of our AFP to address its constitutional duty to 'secure the sovereignty of the state and the integrity of the national territory’,” Gazmin concluded.

PCG Not Expecting New Ships in 2013

Ten 40-meter MRRVs to be used by the Philippine Coast Guard expected to arrive in 2014.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said yesterday it is not expecting to receive additional ships in 2013, but the Aquino administration is purchasing at least 10 new vessels that are scheduled to arrive at least by 2014.

“Since all of the ships to be purchased by the Coast Guard are brand new, it would take some months to construct. So hopefully, by 2014 they would start arriving,” PCG commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena said.

When he took over as PCG chief last Dec. 14, Isorena said one of his priorities is to improve the agency’s capabilities.

He said Malacañang has given its approval to procure 10 40-meter search and rescue vessels from Japan that will be delivered within three years, from 2014 until 2017.

There are also plans to procure an 82-meter ship and four 24-meter vessels from France, but Isorena said these are not yet final.

Philippines navy ship being prepared for voyage

BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the second Hamilton-Class Cutter acquired by the Philippines from the US, is being prepared for its voyage to the Philippines by early 2013.

The ship, formerly called the USCGC Dallas, was a Coast Guard high endurance cutter commissioned in 1967 in New Orleans and was decommissioned in March 2012.
Named after war hero Commodore Ramon Alcaraz--a distinguished Philippine Navy Officer during the Second World War who was awarded the Silver Star for shooting down 3 Japanese planes off Bataan in 1942--the ship was formally transferred to the Philippine government, under its first Filipino Commanding Officer Ernesto Baldovin, on May 22.
Baldovino and 85 Filipino Navy officers and crew will be part of the sailing crew in its tentative journey to the Philippines by spring next year.
The ship’s 14 officers and enlisted men and women are also undergoing training under the US Coast Guard.
The ship was reportedly purchased to conducting patrols for extended periods of time as it can withstand heavy weather and rough water conditions.

BRP Alcaraz is currently docked at a naval facility center in Charleston, South Carolina while it undergoes general overhaul and further installation of navigational, electronics and weapons equipment.

Royal Brunei Navy and Philippine Navy Conducts SEAGULL Exercise

MUARA NAVAL BASE - The Royal Brunei Navy and the Philippine Navy will be conducting a combined naval exercise code-named Maritime Training Activity (MTA) SEAGULL 05/12 on 19 - 25 November 2012. This is the fifth in the series of bilateral engagements between both navies, which is held bi-annually. The Royal Brunei Navy will be host to this year's event and all military activities will be conducted in Negara Brunei Darussalam.

This training activity aims to strengthen bilateral security relationship and cooperation as well as to enhance interoperability between the two navies, promote mutual understanding and to bolster the existing long-standing relationship among the officers and men of both navies.

 

This year, two ships from the Royal Brunei Navy. KDB SYAFAAT and KDB AFIAT, will be joined by two patrol ships from the Philippine Navy namely BRP ARTEMIO RICARTE (PS-37) and BRP GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ (PS-38). The exercise will involve almost 150 personnel from both navies.

This morning, the Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Abdul Halim bin Hj Mohd Hanifah received a call from the Commander of Philippine Fleet, Rear Admiral Orwen J. Cortez. Present during the Call was the Ambassador of the Republic of Philippines, His Excellency Nestor Z. Ochoa, Commander Leofilo G. Pulmano (DCTG 12.1), and both Philippine Patrol Ships' Commanding Officers.

Upon completion of the Call, the Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy presided over the Opening Ceremony with the Commander of Philippine Fleet in attendance.

 

Philippines, Australia Navies Start Joint Training Exercises in LUMBAS 2012

The Philippine and Australian navies will kick-off Monday, October 22, joint training exercises that aim to enhance both countries' capability on anti-terrorism, human and drug trafficking, and disaster response.

Over 300 navy personnel from the Philippines and Australia will participate in the 12th annual Maritime Training Activity (MTA) between the Philippine Navy and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) dubbed "Lumbas 2012."

The five-day exercises will be held aboard HMAS Sydney in South Harbor Manila and will be participated by other agencies such as the  Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Group-Philippine National Police, Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

In a training directive, Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said that the training activity will also "enhance competency of the navies in naval and maritime security operations through subject matter expert exchange activities.”

The exercises will include realistic, scenario-based exercises focused on anti-terrorism, illegal human and drug trafficking, and humanitarian assistance/disaster response involving the Philippine Navy and the Australian Border Protection Command

The Philippine Navy also aims to enhance its competencies in maritime security, surveillance, and interdiction with the help of the Australian BPC.

The Philippine Navy will send the Barko ng Republika ng Pilipnas (BRP) Mariano Alvarez (PS38), the BRP Beinvenido Salping (PG112), and a component from the Naval Special Operations Group (Navsog) to participate in the exercise.

The exercises are also aimed to enhance and develop camaraderie among participating personnel through shiprider program and social interaction.

Philippine spends $15 M on 2nd US Hamilton-class cutter

The military said today that it is spending more than P600 million ($15 million) for the acquisition of a Hamilton-class cutter from the United States.
Philippine Navy Chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said the second US ship costs $5 million more than the first Hamilton-class cutter which the government bought under the US Excess Defense Articles Program.
"We are installing lots of equipment in the (second) ship," said Pama in an interview after the opening of the Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2013.

The ship is set to leave the United States by January next year after the refurbishing and training of Filipino personnel are completed.

Croatia Offers Naval Ship to Philippines

Croatian and Philippines Defence Ministers' talks on cooperation in defence industry

 

RTOP-12 Kralj Dmitar Zvonimir missile boat

Defence Minister Ante Kotromanović and Deputy Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Joško Klisović with delegations paid an official visit to the Philippines from 30 September to 3 October 2012. There they held bilateral meetings of defence ministers and political consultation of foreign ministries of the two countries.

During a visit to the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of the Philippines, Minister Kotromanović met Minister Gazmin Voltaire. During the meeting, both sides pointed out the very good bilateral relations between Croatia and the Philippines as well as opportunities for future development.

In line with the common interest of the two countries for the preservation of global and regional stability through participation in international peacekeeping missions, it was agreed that there was a scope for strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the field of military-technical cooperation, as well as in cooperation between the two navies. In this context, Minister Kotromanović emphasized the long tradition of Croatia as a naval and shipbuilding country, mentioning the recent decision of the Government on the construction of coastal patrol ships for the Croatian Navy.

The discussions were also about the fight against piracy and the contribution of the two countries, where the Croatian participation in ATALANTA operation led by the EU was characterized as an important contribution to the fight against this global problem. Philippines Defence Minister spoke about the anti-piracy activities on its sea borders, where both ministers drew a conclusion that in this area there was the potential for the exchange of experience between the two navies.

                                          RTOP-21 Šibenik missile boat

Given the identified potential development of bilateral cooperation between Croatia and Philippines in the field of military-technical, defence and security cooperation, and cooperation between navies, education and training and exchange of experience, the interest in finding new possibilities of product placement of the Croatian military industry on the Philippines market was emphasized on the meeting. Particularly, if considering the fact that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the air force and the navy, have been currently in the process of modernization and further equipping. It was also pointed out that, as part of the strategy of the Philippines to increase economic growth and decrease poverty, they increased budgetary resources of the Philippine Ministry of Defence.

The Philippines also intend to open additional opportunities in the shipbuilding portfolio within which an important role has the construction of ships for the Philippine Navy.

Two ministers also talked about the Croatian membership in NATO, where Minister Kotromanović spoke about the concept of Smart Defence as a new way of thinking of the Alliance's member states to preserve the existing and develop new capabilities in the defence field in times of reduced defence budgets. As a positive example, he pointed out the Croatian-Czech training of helicopter pilots and technicians as part of the Multinational Helicopter Initiative, which aims to standardize training and save resources of each country participating in the training.

 

Defence Minister Gazmin has expressed a desire for sharing experience, stressing that members of the Philippine Armed Forces could learn from CAF service members who took part in the Homeland War, as well as later in peacekeeping operations and missions around the world, and thus gained very important experience and knowledge in the fight against modern threats.

The two Ministers stressed the importance of signing a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of logistics and defence industry, which will provide a firmer framework for further bilateral cooperation. In this context, Minister Kotromanović invited his Philippine colleague in the return visit to the Republic of Croatia when the aforementioned document could be signed, which would have opened up possibilities for increased cooperation.

                                                   OB-04 Hrvatska Kostajnica patrol boat

During the official visit to the Republic of the Philippines, Minister Kotromanović also visited the Philippine Coast Guard Command and the Philippine Navy Command, where he met with the Commander, Rear Admiral Jesus ​​C. Millan. The discussion on the meeting was on the organization of two navies and on the development opportunities in the future, both in terms of organization and in their equipping.

Along with the representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Croatian business delegation composed of: Ruđer Friganović,  Managing Director of the Croatian shipbuilding - Jadranbrod, Ivica Nekić, Director of the Alan Agency and Vladimir Koroman, Director of the Shipbuilding Institute have also took part in the official visit to the Republic of the Philippines.

Philippine Coast Guard needs 30 more ships

The Philippine Coast Guard needs at least 30 more ships and patrol craft to help secure the country’s maritime boundaries, a PCG official said Saturday.
Rear Adm. Rodolfo Isorena, PCG fleet commander, said the Coast Guard needed additional vessels since its existing 15 ships were not enough to patrol the seas covered by the 54 PCG stations or outposts across the country.
“We really need more ships and patrol craft. That’s our No. 1 priority,” Isonera said in an interview. “Each station should have a ship so that if something happens in its area of jurisdiction, our unit can properly respond.”
Isonera said the Coast Guard actually needed 60 ships but could settle with half that number due to the high cost of acquiring new vessels.

At present, the PCG’s main work horses are the four 56-meter Tenix (San Juan class) search-and-rescue vessels which were acquired in the early 2000′s.
The four are considered  the PCG’s most modern vessels as they are equipped with decompression chambers and  helipads. However, two of these ships are currently under repair.
“If you are a passenger and your ship is about to sail, you’d feel safe seeing that there’s a Coast Guard ship ready to respond,” Isonera said.

Philippines to procure long-range maritime spy plane

The Department of National Defense (DND) is eyeing to procure the country’s first long-range maritime patrol and surveillance plane from Spain’s licensed aircraft manufacturer based in Indonesia, a senior defense official said Monday.
Dr. Peter Paul Galvez, DND spokesperson, said that the department is also scouting for spy planes and medium lift aircrafts from other European countries at a lower cost.
“On our shortlist is the Indonesian aircraft,” Galvez said, but added that they are also eyeing spy planes manufactured by other European companies.
Once President Aquino approves the planned acquisition, the soon-to-be procured spy plane is projected to strengthen the country’s maritime domain awareness.
For the longest time, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been relying mainly on a small number of islander planes for its maritime and territorial patrol requirements.
“The long range patrol aircraft would be devoted solely to conducting maritime surveillance,” Galvez said, without naming the Indonesian-made aircraft.

Observers said the spy plane the DND is eyeing to procure following a series of evaluation, is the CASA/IPTN CN-235. The plane is being manufactured by Indonesia and Spain under a joint venture agreement.
Aside from its long-range maritime surveillance capabilities, the CN-235 surveillance aircraft can also be used as a military transport plane. It’s largest user is Turkey with 61 aircraft.
The surveillance plane has a crew of two, pilot and co-pilot, and can carry 44 passengers and a payload of 13,120 pounds with a cruising speed of 454 kilometers per hour and a range of 2,730 nautical miles.
Also being considered is Italy’s C-27J Spartan, a medium lift aircraft.
Earlier, the DND announced that it is also procuring a squadron of lead-in fighter jets from South Korea to bolster its territorial defense.

New Equipment For Philippines Navy Ships

Philippines — A top defense official said the Hamilton-class cutters of the Philippine Navy (PN) will get sophisticated radars and an anti-ship missile system to make the vessels more capable of engaging intruders to Philippine territorial waters.

According to the official, the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and the soon-to-arrive BRP Ramon Alcaraz, will be equipped with Harpoon, an anti-ship missile system, and will also be fitted with more sophisticated radars capable of detecting and tracking incoming surface threats and anti-missile and torpedo decoying systems.

The official said the Harpoon is the ideal missile system for Del Pilar and Alcaraz, noting that a sister-ship of the vessels, the USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717), has been fitted with the Harpoon missile launchers and test fired the weapons in January, 1990. Both Del Pilar and Alcaraz were acquired from the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

“These upgrades will make our Hamilton-class cutters more capable vessels. It will definitely satisfy our minimum deterrent capability as far as naval defense is concern,” the official emphasized.

Del Pilar is currently the biggest ship of the Philippine Navy, while Alcaraz is due to arrive before the end of the year.

The vessels were originally equipped with an AN/SPS-40 air-search radar Mark 92 Fire Control System, and armed with one Oto Melara Mark-75 76mm gun, two Mark K-38 25mm machinegun systems, two Mark 36 SRBOC systems,

one Phalanx CIWS missile defense gun, along with multiple mounted M2HB .50 caliber machineguns, and M240 7.62mm machineguns.

But under the PN service, the weapons and sensor systems were removed with the exception of the Oto Melara Mark-75 76mm main gun.

“With the Harpoon, we will not be getting an unproven weapon system as the missile has been successfully test fired from the USCGC Mellon,” said the defense official.

He added that the weapons refit might be done in the United States under a government-to-government deal.

Navy Studying if Philippines Needs to Buy Submarine

                   The Philippine Navy is planning to acquire submarine not later than 2020.

President Benigno Aquino III said the Philippine Navy is now conducting a study on whether or not it would be practical for the country to acquire its first submarine.

“That is being studied by our Navy – whether or not it is practical and whether or not it meets our needs,” Aquino said in an interview after touring the Navy’s latest and fastest surface combat-ready vessel, BRP Gregorio del Pilar.

Aquino noted that in 1998, a regional neighbor bought submarines from the Eastern bloc only to find out the vessels were not fit for tropical weather.

Submarines are equipped with sensors and radars that can monitor movement on the surface, and even identify nearby ships using propeller signatures.

The Philippine Navy is reportedly planning to acquire its first submarine, which can cost billions of dollars, not later than 2020.

Philippines will acquire 4 ASW helicopters for Navy within 2013-2017

MANILA — As part of its efforts to improve the capabilities of the naval service, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it will be acquiring four anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters for the Philippine Navy (PN) within the period 2013 to 2017.
Col. Arnulfo M. Burgos, Jr., AFP spokesperson, said the decision to acquire ASW assets for the PN is part of country's Medium Term Defense Acquisition List for the next four years.
The ASW choppers will be assigned to the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and the soon-to-come BRP Ramon Alcaraz and hopefully to the two "Maestrale" class missile-firing frigates from Italy being eyed by the Department of National Defense (DND) for acquisition by 2013.
Burgos declined to identify the manufacturer of the proposed ASW helicopters but said studies are now undergoing to identify the best and most affordable aircraft for the Philippines.
DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin earlier announced that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be getting 10 brand-new units of Eurocopter attack choppers to boost its fleet.
He added that this contract is worth P3.2 billion.
Gazmin said that the DND has already presented it to the government policy and procurement board for evaluation.

This was after the defense department recommended acquisition approval for the above-mentioned helicopters.
And should the contract be signed anytime this August, the DND chief said that the first four units will be delivered within the year.
"All these choppers are brandnew and fitted with weapons, navigation and sensor equipment," Gazmin stressed.
The body of the Eurocopter is made from 80 percent carbon fiber reinforced polymer and kevlar, 11 percent aluminum, and six percent titanium.
The rotors are made from fiber-plastic able to withstand combat damage and bird strikes.
Protection against lightning and electromagnetic pulse is ensured by embedded copper/bronze grid and copper bonding foil.
Eurocopter's armor can withstand 23 mm autocannon fire.
The helicopter can be equipped with a variety of air-to-ground weapons, rockets, and even air-to-air missiles and state-of-the-art sensor and navigation systems.
Asian Defence News

Philippine Navy in Northern Luzon has just concluded the conduct of a small-scale Naval Exercise

The Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL), the operational Command of the Philippine Navy in Northern Luzon has just concluded the conduct of a small-scale Naval Exercise code-named SAGEX 02-12 last August 14 to 16, 2012 at the waters of West Philippine Sea.

The Naval Exercise aims to test the capability of naval vessels under NFNL in conducting naval operations at sea under adverse and heavy weather and sea conditions to accomplish its Territorial Defense Mission in protecting Philippine territorial waters.

The scenario is based on the concept of maneuvers along critical sea lanes of the West Philippine Sea and it involved the conduct of Patrol, Simulated Tracking of Targets and Interdiction and capped by live firing exercises.

More than one hundred (100) Sailors and Marines, and three (3) naval vessels namely the BRP GREGORIO DEL PILAR (PF15), BRP RAJAH HUMABON (PF11) and BRP LIBERATO PICAR (PG-377), participated in the exercise under Naval Task Force (NTF) 11.

 

http://www.navy.mil.ph/news.php?news_id=587&home=1

Coast Guard Ordered to Dispose of Rundown Vessels

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) should dispose of 10 rundown vessels so it could save funds, the Commission on Audit (COA) said in a report.

The PCG reportedly has 14 aging ships and 33 small sea craft and airplanes, 10 of which are already broken beyond repair and “just occupy space in piers.”

COA said keeping the vessels was costly “because personnel need to be assigned in the area to guard these assets.”

“Mothballed assets will be better disposed of immediately, rather than left to further corrode,” COA said.

An audit team began checking on the condition of PCG vessels last year. Aside from the vessels, the PCG also has five aircraft.

Of the 14 ships, only eight or 57 percent are ready for sea (RFS), meaning these ships can sail out to sea whenever needed, while six ships or 43 percent are on a NRFS (not ready for sea) status.

Of the six ships on NRFS status, the COA report said four are already being considered as mothballed or beyond repair.

“The mothballed floating assets, whose net book value could not be determined because of the absence of documents, appeared to be beyond economical repair. These boats are no longer used by PCG,” the COA report said.

“We believe that the non-action of the PCG on the disposal of mothballed ships and small crafts is disadvantageous to the government,” the audit team stressed.

State auditors said the PCG management should immediately conduct inspection and evaluate the status of all its floating assets.

“If found to be no longer needed and are not under litigation, decommission the ships and small crafts and prepare the necessary inspection and inventory report to begin the process of disposal,” COA recommended.

Asian Defence News

Philippine started negotiations for the purchase of 2 Italian Navy Maestrale class ASW Frigates

Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin announced that the country entered negotiations with the Italian government for the purchase of two Maestrale class Anti-Submarine frigates in a deal estimated at 11.7 billion Philippine pesos (280 Millions USD).

Eight vessels of this class are currently in service with the Italian Navy. The two Frigates to be transfered to the Philippine Navy are expected to be refurbished first, and likely see some of their systems and weapons upgrade or modernized. 

 The Maestrale class frigates primary task is Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), however their weapons and systems provides them with a high degree of flexibility which makes them capable warships in Anti-Surface (ASuW) and Anti-Air (AAW) warfare roles.

If the deal goes through, the two Frigates will be purchased as the solution to the Philippine Navy Deep Water Patrol Vessel and will significantly boost the Philippine Navy capabilities, especially in terms of Anti-Submarine Warfare.

The Philippines and China have been embroiled in a growing dispute over territorial claims in the South China Sea. The Philippines has launch an extensive modernization program for its Armed Forces as a consequence.
 Asian Defence News

2 Italian Frigates to Sail In with Technical Support

                                          Maestrale class frigates

They will not only be sailing into Philippine waters with their weapons, sensors and other equipment intact. A Defense official said Italy's "Maestrale" class frigates eyed by the government to bolster its Navy will also sail in with technical support which will allow the prospective crew to use the ship to its fullest potential.

DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said this is one of the reasons the "Maestrale" is such an attractive proposition.Technical support means the Italians would train PN personnel in the proper use of the frigates' systems and maintenance.

Acquisition of the ships is expected to cost the Philippine government P 11.7 billion.

Aside from this, the Italian Navy also guaranteed to supply its Filipino counterpart with spares which the ships need for dockyard maintenance.

"It means that we don't have to scrounge around for parts. We can call them about the items we need and they will supply them to us. It means greater availability for our

'Maestrale' for maritime missions," Manalo stressed in Filipino.

He added the Italians will put the ships on "zero time" or intensive overhaul wherein their equipment — weapons, navigation, sensors, engines, and hulls — will be made good as new.

"This will take around nine months. Once it is complete, the ships will be good as new or even better," he emphasized.

                                AB-212 anti submarine warfare helicopter

The "Maestrale class is composed of eight vessels, all of which were built by Fincantieri S.p. A, Riva Trigoso, except for Grecale, built by Fincantieri S.p.A. – Muggiano, La Spezia.

It is primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare.

However, the ships are highly flexible so they are also capable of anti-air and anti-surface operations.

Ships of this class have been widely used in various international missions and during normal operations of the Italian Navy.

The first of these ships entered the service in early 1982. The rest of the fleet was launched over the next three years.

The ships of the Maestrale class are scheduled to be replaced by the "Rinascimento" class starting in 2011.

The frigates have a displacement of 3,100 gross register tons, a length of 122.7 meters, draft of 4.2 meters.

Its propulsion system consists of two GE/Avio General Electric LM2500 gas turbines; two D Grandi Motori Trieste BL-230-20-DVM diesels, and two five-blade propellers.

This gives the "Maestrale" class a top speed of 33 knots and cruising range of 6,000 nautical miles at 15 knot economical speed.

It has a complement of 24 officers and 201 enlisted personnel.

The "Maestrale" frigates armament fit consists of four Teseo Mark-2 anti-ship missile launchers, one octuple Aspide surface air missile launchers, one Otobreda 127 mm main gun, two Oto Melara twin 40mm automatic cannon, two 533mm torpedo tubes and two 324mm torpedo tubes for anti-submarine warfare.

It is also capable of carrying two AB-212 helicopters for anti-submarine and patrol work.

With all these features, the "Maestrale" will be the most potent ships acquired for the PN, making the latter more capable of defending the country's territorial waters. Asian Defence News

Philippine Navy Buying 2 Italian Warships

Two Italian warships are set to strengthen the Philippines' maritime defense capabilities, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Thursday.

Gazmin said the Philippine Navy is buying the P11.7-billion Maestrale class-frigates , which have anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weaponry.

The move is part of the Armed Forces' modernization program, the defense chief said at a forum in Camp Aguinaldo.

"These frigates are warships. These have anti-air, sub-surface, they have anti-submarine (capabilities). What we are getting are really meant for war," Gazmin said.

The frigates, which were commissioned in the 1980s, are being used by the Italian Navy.

He said the Navy is waiting for the approval of contract that is expected to be signed in January 2013.

The ships will then be delivered by November after they are refurbished.

"These are operational. They are being used by the Italian Navy. They will be refurbished and overhauled," Gazmin said.

The Philippine Navy bought a Hamilton-class cutter from the US Coast Guard for about P400 million last year.  A similar vessel is expected to be delivered to the Navy within the next few month.

"These will be a big help because they will be giving us a very good defense posture," Garzmin said. "These will help in guarding (our territory), against terrorism, enforcement of maritime laws."

Fernando Manalo, defense undersecretary for finance, munitions, installations and materiel, said a separate P3.2-billion contract for the purchase of 10 attack helicopters from Eurocopter could be signed this month.

The helicopters will be delivered this year if the contract gets the green light.

Multi-role fighter jets

The Department of National Defense is also eyeing KAI T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced trainers and multi-role fighters from South Korea.

Manalo said Malacañang has received the department's proposal to buy the aircraft.

"We are also looking at other options for the lead-in (fighters) but to be specific, based on our assessment, it is the T-50 of South Korea that is most advantageous to us in consideration to the obtaining situation in the West Philippine Sea and what is affordable to us," he said.

However, the T-50's purchase will rely on the modernization law that is still being deliberated by Congress.

"We have been engaging the company (Korea Aerospace Industries) and for as long as the contract is signed before the end of the year, then the target of 2 years delivery period is still doable," Manalo said.

Asian Defence News

Philippine Navy to Receive 2 New Multi-Purpose Attack Craft

MANILA, Philippines - The Navy is expecting delivery this week of two brand new multi-purpose attack craft manufactured by a Filipino company in line with efforts to upgrade its capability.

Navy spokesman Col. Omar Tonsay said the vessels have been acquired from local firm Propmech Corp. and were expected to be delivered in August.

“These are Filipino-made vessels. These make us proud,” Tonsay told The STAR yesterday.

Commander Kenneth Tingabngab, director of the Navy’s modernization office, said they have acquired three multi-purpose attack craft from Propmech.

The first one was delivered during the first half of the year and was blessed during the Navy’s 114th anniversary last May. The three vessels cost about P269 million.

“The boats will be used for interdiction, patrolling and for maritime and border security,” Tingabngab said.

Each boat is 16.5 meters long, 4.76 meters wide and can carry as many as 16 soldiers or about two tons of cargo.

Tonsay said there are four multi-purpose attack craft in their inventory.

He said sailors would test the boats once the vessels were delivered.

The Aquino administration has vowed to support the military’s modernization efforts to enable it to perform its mandate.

The Navy would be given strategic sealift vessels with amphibious capability, offshore patrol vessels, three naval helicopters, coast watch stations and weather-heavy endurance cutters.

The Navy also expects the arrival of a warship acquired from the United States Coast Guard in January. The warship, a weather endurance cutter, will be named after Ramon Alcaraz, a patrol boat commander during World War II.

For the Army, the government plans to acquire new assault rifles, armor assets, tanks, armored personnel carriers, force protection equipment like helmets, and bulletproof vests, night-fighting equipment and radios.

Meanwhile, the Air Force is expected to acquire surface attack aircraft, air defense radars, long-range patrol aircraft and closed air support aircraft.

Asian Defence News