With 11 shipbuilding firms expressing interest in the Department of National Defense (DND)'s P18-billion frigate program, DND spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez on Thursday expressed hope that the country will get the best possible ships and armaments for the Navy.
"Hopefully, we get the best quality and more capabilities for the budget we have," he added.
Galvez said that having 11 bidders participating in this program will ensure that interested shipbuilders will be offering the best designs in their portfolios.
Earlier, 11 firms have expressed their interest to participate in the DND's frigate program.
These companies are Piriou Naval Services, Navantia Sepi (RTR Ventures), Thyssenkrupp Marine System, STX Offshore & Shipbuilding, Damen Shipyards, Fincantieri, STX France SA, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Inc., Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd., DCNS France and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd.
The frigates will be the most heavily armed vessels in Philippine Navy (PN) service.
Technical specifications obtained by MaxDefense:
-76-mm gun at forward section with target tracking radar and/or electro-optical target acquisition and fire control computer;
-one stabilized secondary gun;
-four . 50-caliber machine guns;
-primary and secondary guns shall be integrated to combat management system;
four surface-to-surface missile launchers, minimum 50km range, active homing seeker and ECCM capability;
-surface-to-air missile launching system, minimum quadruple launcher, minimum 6km range, IR or semi-active homing seeker, with ECCM and/or IR CCM capability; and
-anti-submarine torpedoes, minimum range 2km, minimum depth 500m, with acoustic countermeasures capability, two triple launchers (one on each side).
With these armaments, the ships will capable of engaging any aerial, surface and sub-surface threats that may intrude in Philippine territory.
At present, the most potent weapon system in PN service is the 76mm Oto Melara main gun and Mark 38 Model 2 25 mm "Bushmaster" auto-cannon fitted in the Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates and Emilio Jacinto class patrol vessels.
Earlier, PN Patrol Force head Commodore Jose Renan C. Suarez said that the two frigates will be the most capable yet in Philippine service due to its capability to detect and engage airborne, surface and underwater threats simultaneously.
Suarez said that these ships are part of the PN's "Navy Frigate Program" which has a timeline of 2013 to 2017.
He added that these ships are designed with numerous upgrades cycle to ensure that they will remain relevant and competitive against new vessels coming in line.
Suarez said that these ships will greatly enhanced PN's capabilities to defend the country's vast maritime territory.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=577101
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