The Philippine Navy (PN) is interested in acquiring another decommissioned Hamilton-class cutter from the United States Coast Guard (USGC).
This was disclosed by Department of National Defense (DND)
Undersecretary for Finance, Modernization and Materiel Fernando Manalo in a
text message to the Philippine News Agency.
He made the statement when queried if the Philippines
"I don't know if Boutwell is the cutter the DND is
proposing to acquire. What I know is the PN is interested in acquiring (an)
additional cutter," Manalo said.
The PN presently operates two ex-Hamilton class cutters, the
BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15 and ex-USCGC Hamilton
These two ships are the PN's most up-to-date surface
combatants and capable of patrolling the vast expanses of the West
Philippine Sea .
Despite being armed with only a 76mm Oto Melara auto-cannon
and small caliber weaponry, the Hamilton-class cutters are ideal for the PN
since these are capable of sailing even in adverse weather condition and
capable of housing naval helicopters aside from serving as a training platform
for Filipino naval officers and crewmen expected to man the new SSVs and
missile-armed frigates coming within the next two years.
A Hamilton-class cutter has a gross tonnage of 3,250 tons, 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 and a sea and
loiter time of 45 days.
It has a complement of 167 officers and men.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=819183
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