New warship boosts PH maritime defense

From the Manila Standard Today (Jun 13): New warship boosts PH maritime defense

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the Philippine Navy’s newest and most modern warship acquired from the United States, is ready to boost the government’s efforts to defend the country’s territorial waters.

The Philippine Embassy in Washington said the former Hamilton Class cutter, one of 12 cutters introduced to the US Coast Guard in the 1960s, but were later modernized through a rehabilitation modernization program in the 1980s through 1992, has been fitted with an anti-ship harpoon missile. It added that the warship has also successfully test-fired its 76mm main gun off the coast of Florida.

After which, the ship sailed on Monday towards Panama Canal on its way to the Pacific.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the ship would travel for almost two months and is expected to arrive on Philippine shores by mid-July or August.

“The BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), a decommissioned United States Coast Guard cutter converted to a frigate, is due to arrive in the country either by July or August. It has been fitted with anti-ship harpoon missile,” the DFA said.

Acquired at a cost of less than P.5 billion, the embassy said the BRP Alcaraz’s weapon system was heavier and more sophisticated compared to her sister ship, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar.

Both the BRP  Ramon Alcaraz and the BRP Gregorio del Pilar are Hamilton Class cutter, the largest class of vessel in the United States Cost Guard.

They were called Harmilton after their lead ship, or Secretary Class,” because they were named after secretaries of the Treasury. The BRP Gregorio del Pilar was formerly known as the USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715),  before it was decommissioned on March 28.

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz, on the other hand, was known as the USCGC Dallas (WHEC-716) and was decommissioned on March 20, 2012.

The acquisition of the two former Hamilton Class cutters was part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization plan, which is also seen as part of the country’s objectives to beef up its maritime defense in the highly-disputed islands in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).

Aside from harpoon surface-to-surface missiles, Alcaraz is armed with an 76mm Oto Melara automatic cannon, two 25-bushmaster guns and heavy machineguns.

The warship recently completed its three-day sea trial off South Carolina where it underwent major engine repairs and refurbishment for several months before it was turned over to the Philippines last year.

Philippine embassy to Washington defense and naval attache Capt. Elson Aguilar said the Hamilton Class cutter will journey for almost two months before it reaches the country.

“The Alcaraz left Charleston, South Carolina, last Monday, more than a year after it was acquired from the US Coast Guard. Aside from Mayport and Panama, the Alcaraz will also stop in San Diego, Honolulu and Guam en route to Manila,” the Philippine Embassy said.

Capt. Ernesto Baldovino, the vessel’s commanding officer, described the weapons system as “very reliable,” and having a “high degree of accuracy.”

The ship was fitted with Italian-made Oto Melara rapid-fire cannon fired 15 rounds, including three for calibration and 12 at floating targets two to three miles away.

The cannon can shoot as many as 80 76-mm rounds per minute, the embassy said.
The test firing involved shooting at targets “two to three miles away.

The crew fired at “killer tomato” balloon targets “drifting two to three miles away.”

The Oto Melara 76mm gun is described as a “very good weapon system” which is currently being used by 53 naval forces worldwide.

Contrary to claims that the gun was too light to deter would-be-intruders and poachers encroaching into Philippine waters, the 76mm cannon can fire 60 to 80 rounds a minute against naval, air, or even ground targets.

The gun’s high rate of fire makes it suitable for short-range anti-missile point defense.

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