DND deal for Italian warships nearing completion

From the Philippine Star (Nov 5): DND deal for Italian warships nearing completion

Negotiation for the acquisition of two warships from Italy may be completed within the year.
In an interview, Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo told The STAR the Navy is expected to come up with a decision package, a document needed to make the ships ready for operation. “I would like to say that it (negotiation) is in its advanced stage,” he said. “When we receive a decision package, we will submit to the (defense) secretary the acquisition decision memorandum (ADM) and then submit the proposal to the president for approval,” he said. “We are just waiting for the decision package from the Navy.” Manalo said a decision package includes the terms of reference for the refurbishment of the ships, the needed training for personnel that will man the vessels, munitions and other things needed to make them operational. “The ADM would start the procurement and would signal the implementation of the project,” he added. Manalo said negotiations may be completed within the year and the warships may arrive in the Philippines within the term of President Aquino if the project pushes through....  Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the two warships would be acquired from the Italian Navy at a cost of about P11.7 billion. The two warships have anti-aircraft, anti-ship and anti-submarine capabilities, and missile systems and modern radars, he added. The Maestrale-class ships were commissioned in 1982 and are more capable than any of the vessels in the Navy’s inventory....

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