Gregorio Del Pilar frigates to provide Filipino naval officers, enlisted with necessary experience in handling more modern ships

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 2): Gregorio Del Pilar frigates to provide Filipino naval officers, enlisted with necessary experience in handling more modern ships

Aside from providing the country its first step in improving its maritime situational awareness capabilities, the two Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates, now in service, will provide Filipino naval officers and enlisted personnel the necessary experience and training to handle the projected strategic sealift vessels (SSVs) and missile-armed ships which will soon be coming to service.

This was stressed by Philippine Navy vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad in a briefing on the PN's ongoing modernization programs.

The PN acquired the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15) in May 2011 while its sister ship, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz followed suit in May 2012.

The BRP Gregorio Del Pilar was commissioned in December 2011 while BRP Ramon Alcaraz was activated on December 2013.

"Likewise, with these two vessels, our naval operators will have a new avenue for training and equipment that will prepare them for the procurement of modern equipment. Moreover, the shift in focus from internal security to territorial defense, as one of key drivers in our naval strategy, will now be realized," Taccad stressed.

The first SSV is expected to be delivered and in service by the second quarter of 2016.

The contract price for the two SSVs is Php4 billion.

"The first unit is expected to be delivered on the 2nd quarter of 2016 and the second unit on the 2nd quarter of 2017," Taccad earlier said.

"These ships can be used for military and non-military operations such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, sealift, logistics, rescue operations or as a floating government center platform," the PN vice commander said.

He added that the SSVs carries a crew of 126 officers and enlisted personnel. It can also transport a battalion of troops (500 soldiers) and their equipment.Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL confirmed Friday that it has signed the contract to supply two strategic sealifts vessel to the Philippine Navy.

The Department of National Defense (DND) and Indonesian ship builder PT Pal signed the contract for the SSVs last July.

"The SSV is an integral part of the PN's Service Force (logistic) and is needed to accomplish the Navy's missions in different areas," the Navy earlier said.

The ships are estimated to weigh around 7,300 gross register tons.

The SSVs will be also used to improve the PN's transport and lift capabilities.

As this develops, a ranking Navy official expressed confidence that the contract for its two missile-armed frigates and two anti-submarine helicopters will be signed and awarded to qualified proponents early this 2015.

This was announced by chief of naval staff for logistic, Capt. Alberto Carlos.

He added that this because both assets will be working in tandem together, giving the PN a much needed punch in securing the country's vast territorial waters.

Carlos said he expects these assets to be delivered within three to four years as building brand-new ships and helicopters is a lengthy process.

The country is allocating Php18-billion for its two missile-armed frigates which can also perform anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-surface missions.

While another Php5.4 billion is allocated for the two anti-submarine helicopters.

Both projects are undergoing bidding as of this posting.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=721146