Philippine Navy Modernization Updated Lists as of December 2020

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Published on December 11, 2020 by

This year, the Philippine Navy has proven how effective having an advanced warship and technology in preventing terrorism threats like those that recently occurred in Sulu. 

So here’s the list of current and ongoing Philippine Navy assets procurement.

The Philippines is an archipelagic state and has one of the world’s longest coastlines and thousand islands. Now the country faces security challenges. Ranging from the West Philippine Sea dispute, intrusions of foreign ships, and piracy, the Navy needs to tackle these tough challenges.  

Navy modernization Modernization Office 

The activation of the Philippine Navy Modernization Office helps boost its implementation of plans and programs aimed at fulfilling its mandate to protect the country’s maritime borders. 

Philippine Navy public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Roxas said the office was inaugurated at the Navy headquarters in Naval Station Jose Andrada in Manila. The PNMO is expected to cater to the self-reliant defense posture of the Phillippine Navy. 




Philippine Navy ASW Helicopter Munitions

The Philippine Navy’s AW159s, which already commission in the Philippine Navy worth 5.4 billion pesos, feature anti-submarine warfare capabilities and now serving in Naval Air Wing’s Squadron MH-40, are expected to be deployed to the Philippine Navy Rizal-class frigates.

In the ASW role, the AW159s can be equipped with active dipping sonar, sonobuoys, depth charges, and torpedoes. In the anti-surface warfare role, the helicopters can be fitted with anti-ship missiles, rockets, and guns.

In September 2020, Munitions for the Philippine Navy’s two AugustaWestland was delivered in the country. Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd made Spike NLOS missile provide the AW-159s a capability to engage hostile vessels beyond visual range.

While the South Korean-made LIG Nex1 “Blue Shark” lightweight torpedoes will serve as the helicopters’ anti-submarine weapon and are capable of shallow and deepwater operations and can run off to a speed of 45 knots.




Corvettes (Pohang class)

Recently the Philippine Navy received the recondition Pohang Class from South Korea. As of now, this warship is one of the most arms fitted ships in the Philippine Navy. This warship is rename to Pohang-class corvette BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39).

South Korea provided a Pohang class frigate corvette last year and has made known that they have another two Pohang class available. The Philippine Navy desires to get them to have three Pohang corvettes in its inventory.

In September 2020, the defense secretary made a remark when asked whether South Korea is offering the Philippines its two decommissioned Pohang class corvettes.nHe said that the Philippines is keen to avail of this offer, especially if it comes at no cost to the country.

The Memorandum of Understanding is basically an agreement between Hyundai Heavy Industries and the Department of National Defense on constructing two brand new corvettes worth P28 billion No Update for.

Fast Attack & Interdiction Craft – Missile Capable (FAIC-M)

According to the Navy public affairs office chief, the project was approved for inclusion in the Horizon 2 project list of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program and has a budget of PHP10 billion.

Four of the FAIC-Ms will be armed with non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missiles with pinpoint accuracy with a range of 25 kilometers. In contrast, the other four will be armed with machine guns and automatic light cannons.

According to Empedrad, the eight Shaldag patrol boats will be built in Israel. Simultaneously, the remaining four will be constructed in the Philippine Navy Cavite Naval Yard in Sangley Point, Cavite City.   




Offshore Patrol Vessel 

The OPVs are part of Horizon Two of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program and are expected to replace the old corvettes and minesweepers still in Philippine Nany service as of this time.

Lorenzana said an initial contract between the Department of National Defense and Austal Philippines would amount to 30-billion pesos for six Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) for the Philippine Navy.

Austal is offering a larger version of its 80-meter Cape-class patrol vessels being used by the Royal Australian Navy. According to the Defense Secretary, the Philippine Navy is preferring a government-to-government approach in acquiring the ship.

Landing Platform Dock

The Department of National Defense (DND), through the Revised Armed Forces Modernization Program, is allocating the sum of PHP5.56 billion for the acquisition of two brand-new landing docks for the Philippine Navy.

The contract includes four landing craft utility and four rigid hull inflatable boats with integrated logistic supports. Winning bidders must be able to deliver the military vessels within 3 years. (No update as of this moment)




Multipurpose attack craft

The Philippine Navy (PN) will integrate the Rafael Advanced Defense Ltd. Spike-ER (extended range) surface-to-surface missile system on three more multipurpose attack craft (MPAC) by the first quarter of 2021.

The three Multipurpose Attack Crafts where the Spike-ER missile system will be fitted were activated in September 2019. (No update yet for additional procurement).

 FRIGATES

BRP Jose Rizal Frigates (FF-150), the Philippine Navy’s first-ever guided-missile frigate, will be undergoing various sea trials from November 23 to 27. The remaining warship is expected to be delivered in December 2020 or early 2021.

These ships can handle Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare, and Electronic Warfare Operations. It is fully equipped with Surface-to-Air, Surface-to-Surface Missiles, torpedoes, launchers, and weapon systems.

The two ships cost around 16 billion pesos, with another 2 billion pesos for weapon systems and munitions.  




3D Modeling for Del Pilar Frigates/OPV For Upgraded

The cabling system of the ongoing electronic upgrades of the three Gregorio Del Pilar offshore patrol vessels in the Philippine Navy service has been completed. 

The upgrade of the three ships is expected to be completed by November 2023. Specifically, the upgrade seeks to enhance the ships’ combat management systems, electronic support, and sonar capability.

The project aims to beef up the ships’ electronic capabilities and make them more capable of patrolling and conducting inter-agency operations in the country’s territorial waters.

Submarines

The Philippines has been considering gaining a submarine capability for many years. The Philippines is rare among Asian navies in not having a submarine capability. Neighboring countries have some of the largest and most powerful submarine fleets in the world. And many smaller navies in the region have already started to establish their submarine branches.

We are the only provider with previous experience in helping a country develop a submarine force from scratch. We stand ready to assist the Philippine Navy by providing the submarines but also setting up the training, facilities, and supply chain required to operate a fully operational submarine fleet, the company said.

As Naval News reported in October 2020, the Philippines and the Naval Group’s CEO company are involved in intense discussions with the Philippines regarding the sale of submarines. It appears that the topic is progressing well, with the French Shipbuilder set to open a local office in Manila in a couple of months.




TC-12′ Huron’ Aircraft

In October 2020, the Philippine Navy said it is looking on acquiring at least eight units of Beechcraft TC-12B Huron aircraft from the United States through Excess Defense Articles Program.

Earlier reports, the Joint US Military Assistance Group-Philippines has offered 13 TC-12B to the country via the US EDA, with the Philippine Navy leadership signifying its intention to acquire eight aircraft.

Philippine Navy public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Roxas made the statement when asked for comment on reports that the Navy is planning to acquire the aircraft. It is being planned and considered. The planes can be used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, search-and-rescue, and limited cargo transport.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

The Philippine Navy formally received its first-ever, advanced fixed-wing unmanned aerial system (UAS), the ScanEagle UAS, in a ceremony held at the Magluyan Hall in Naval Base Heracleo Alano here today, November 25.




This advanced aerial vehicle is comprised of eight air vehicles, two launchers, a skyhook, and a ground control station, was acquired through the Maritime Security Initiative Program of the United States requested by the Philippine Navy in 2017 and was formalized in February 2019, after series of dialogues with the Philippines’ the Joint United States Military Assistance Group. It has an estimated cost of 715 million Pesos.

Naval Sea Systems Command

The gas turbine LM2500 simulator is designed to demonstrate the operational system, emergency operations, troubleshooting, optimal operation, fuel economy, and energy conservation.

 Likewise, the simulator can be used to teach fundamental and advanced learning that can help students attain professional qualifications and become highly-qualified engineers.

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