The Philippine Navy (PN) on Saturday announced that preparations for the dry-docking of BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the second Hamilton-class cutter in the country's service, is now ongoing.
"Preparations are now ongoing for the dry-docking procedures," PN spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said.
He added that the ship's officers and other ranking Navy officials in the midst of several meetings which will decide on when and where the BRP Ramon Alcaraz will be dry-docked.
Dry-docking refers to the maintenance procedure where the entire ship is place in a large basin which is then empty of water so that repair work can be done all over its hull, including those below the waterline.
Dry-docking period of the Filipino frigate, which is now moored at the Alave Pier,
"The additional armaments which will be fitted to the BRP Ramon Alcaraz is part of our enhancement program," PN flag-officer-in-charge Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano said during the sidelight of the ship's welcoming ceremony Tuesday.
He declined to specify what weapons that will be fitted to the BRP Ramon Alcaraz.
But PN sources said that this include two Mark 38 Model "Bushmasters" auto cannon which will be mounted in between four to six .50-caliber and M-60 machine guns.
"The weapons are already here and it will be installed during her dry-docking period," the Navy source said.
Additional heavier weapons are also on the way to make the BRP Ramon Alcaraz a much combat capable ship, he added.
The Filipino frigate is presently armed with a quick-firing 76-mm Oto Melara main gun which has a range of 20 nautical miles.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=553475
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