Friday, August 2, 2013

BRP Ramon Alcaraz to boost coastline patrol capabilities

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 3): BRP Ramon Alcaraz to boost coastline patrol capabilities

With the arrival of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) Friday morning, the Philippine Navy (PN)'s capability to patrol and protect the country's vast coastlines which measures 36,289 kilometers (equivalent 22,549 miles) has been greatly boosted.

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz and her sister ship, the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15), are ideal ships for this mission due to their range, speed, size and good sea-keeping capabilities.

Both vessels, designated as frigates in Philippine Navy (PN) service, weighs 3,250 tons, has a length of 378 feet, beam of 43 feet, and draft of 15 feet.

Its propulsion systems consist of two diesel engines and two gas turbine engines, giving it a top speed of 29 knots.

The ship has cruising range of 14,000 miles (equivalent to 22,530.816 kilometers) and has a sea and loiter time of 45 days.

PN spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic earlier said that the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, upon commissioning by second week of October, will be deployed to safeguard the country's 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone and the West Philippine Sea.

PN flag-officer-in-charge Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano called the arrival of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz and delivery of the three naval helicopters by December a "significant milestone".

"The PN finds it to be a significant development in line with the (ongoing) modernization program and capability upgrade," he added.

"These helicopters are just a few among the list of future acquisition for the PN in order to attain its vision of becoming a strong and credible Navy that our maritime nation can be proud of," the PN chief emphasized.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=551111

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