The two Gregorio Del Pilar-class frigates now serving the Philippine Navy (PN) are very much capable of operating along with the ultra-modern United States Navy warships participating in the five-day CARAT 2014 naval exercises off Zambales coast.
This
was revealed by Cmdr. Gregory Fabic, PN public affairs office chief, in a text
message to the Philippines News Agency on Monday.
Fabic
said that despite their relative age, pegged at 40 years old, the BRP Gregorio
Del Pilar (PF-15) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) are still fast, maneuverable
and well-armed.
"Del
Pilar-class frigates are CODOG (combined diesel or gas propulsion system) and
have the necessary speed and maneuverability to keep up with any modern ships.
While we are still on the process of upgrading its weapons system, Del
Pilar-class frigates have the 76mm Oto Melara (automatic cannon) main armament
which is potent enough to deter any threats and inflict damage," Fabic
stressed.
He
added that this capability is demonstrated in the ongoing CARAT 2014 where the
two Filipino warships are able to operate efficiently with the Arleigh
Burke-class destroyer, the USS John S. McCain (DDG-56).
CARAT,
which refers to "Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training," aims to
improve interoperability of the American and Filipino navies. It formally began
on June 26 and will end on July 1.
Lt.
(JG) Rommel Rodriquez, Philippine Fleet spokesperson, said BRP Gregorio Del
Pilar was acquired and commissioned in 2011 while BRP Ramon Alcaraz was
obtained in 2012 and commissioned in 2013.
Both
ships are former Hamilton-class cutters serving the US Coast Guard.
The
two frigates are the largest combatants of the Philippine Navy and are the
mother ships of the AgustaWestland AW-109E "Power" helicopters
commissioned last December 2013.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=658143
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