Philippines Modernise Navy

The Philippine Navy has commissioned two Leonardo AW159 Anti-Submarine Warfare helicopters. The Lynx Wildcats are formidable ASW weapons for the two modern Jose Rival class missile frigates. The Hyundai Heavy Industries-built vessels will also be equipped with the SIMBAD-RC system with MISTRAL anti-aircraft missiles.

The Diplomat

Navy Today

Philippine Navy's Submarine Ambition

The Philippine Navy (PN) has advanced its plan to operate diesel-electric submarine from the 2023-2027 time frame to 2018 - 2022. The PN is discussing with the Russian Navy on possible collaboration on submarine training, operation and maintenance. Russia has expressed willingness to provide the PN with two "Kilo"-class diesel electric submarines.  This design is already more than 30 year old although there is an improved Kilo design (Project 636).  A newer design is the yet un-ordered Amur.

philstar.com

Philippine Navy Chief Allegedly Relieved Over Frigate Contract

The Philippines relieved its Navy Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) of duty four months ahead of his retirement. Armed forces spokesman Colonel Edgard Arevalo confirmed to reporters that Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado was no longer in charge of the 23,000-strong naval forces, but declined to say why.

Military sources quoted in media reports said Vice Adm. Mercado’s removal was connected to controversy over the weapon systems to be installed in the two frigates on order from South Korea. Mercado has allegedly complained about pressured into agreeing to to the contract clauses stipulating that Hyundai Heavy Industries, the frigate contractor, had the right to choose the weapons systems to be installed on the warship.

Reuter

Inquirer

Indian Shipbuilder Wins Contract for Philippine Frigates

India's state-run Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd has emerged as the winner for Philippine Navy's long-drawn light frigate modernisation programme.  GRSE is the lowest bidder in a field that started with six potential suppliers, including South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries Inc., Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. and Navantia S.A. of Spain. The purchase of new frigates was authorised in 2013 after the failed negotiation for a pair of ex-Italian Navy Maestrale-class frigates.

GRSE's winning design is based on the Indian Navy's Kamorta-class anti-submarine corvette. The Philippine Navy specified a requirement for a 2,000-tonne frigate that is at least 95 meters long and can accommodate a 12-ton helicopter. The Komorta is over 3000-tonnes and hence, will have plenty of growth potential.

UPDATE: GRSE has been disqualified from the tender.  Apparently, the company was assessed to be at risk of not having the necessary financial capacity to fulfill the contract.  The next lowest bidder, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). HHI's proposed design is slightly larger than GRSE's.


HHI offered a variant of its HDF 3000 class multipurpose frigate, which is already in service with the Republic of Korea Navy.  The HDF 3000 is 114 m long, 14 m wide with a draught of 4m and a displacement of about 3,200 tonnes at full load. It is capable of achieving a maximum speed of 30 kt. The maximum sailing range is 4,500 n miles at a more economical speed of 13 kt. The Philippine had specified a vessel with a minimum length of 95m and displacement of 2000 tons.

Photo of HDF3000 class frigate, Incheon.
By 대한민국 국군 Republic of Korea Armed Forces - 20130626 대한해협 전승행사 (4), CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36996908

Janes

defensenews

manilalivewire

Philippine Navy's Strategic Sealift Vessel

Philippine Navy's Strategic Sealift Vessel, SSV LD601 was launched as BPR Tarlac. The warship has been delivered to Philippine and now in the country, fittingly before the 118th Anniversary of the Philippine Navy on 20 May 2016.

SSV BRP Tarlac prepares to be docked in Manila on 16 May 2016, following a two-week long voyage from Indonesia. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) 

President of Philippine Office

philstar

Philippine Navy Seeks Support for Missile Corvette

The Philippine Navy is set to receive a Po Hang class missile corvette from South Korea. The ex-Mokpo (PCC 759) was transferred after the ship was decommissioned from the South Korea Navy. The 88m, 1200-tonne corvette will be refurnished before starting service with the Philippine Navy. The Philippine is seeking logistics support for the weapon and communication equipment in a tender valued at US$232,160.

Image from Manila Live Wire

Manila Live Wire

Janes

Janes

Progress on Philippine's Strategic Sealift Vessel

The Philippine Navy's Strategic Sealift Vessels are under construction in Indonesia. The first  SSV  is expected to be deliver early next year. Here is a look at the quantum leap in capabilities that the two Landing Platform, Dock (LPD) warships will confer on the Philippine Navy.



On-going construction of the SSV in Indonesia by PT Pal.




Manila Livewire

Janes