A ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official is confident that
the country's new set of leaders will continue the ongoing military
modernization program.
"Well I am confident that the next set, particularly of
the defense officials will continue with the modernization project. Remember,
this is a plan and I do admit that plans midway have to be reviewed and
revised," Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado
said.
"But I am confident that the next set of defense
officials or national leadership will continue with our modernization program.
The way that we need the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to protect our
people and our country," he added.
One of the highlights of the outgoing Aquino administration
is its efforts to modernize the AFP, considered the weakest in the Southeast
Asia Region.
During the Aquino presidency, modern transport and patrol
ships have been acquired for the PN alongside with brand-new attack
helicopters, jet fighters, and combat utility helicopters for the Air Force.
Modern assault rifles, armored personnel carriers and trucks
have also been given to the Army.o be a really world class naval force, the
Philippine Navy (PN) needs three more strategic sealift vessels (SSVs) in its
inventory.
This was revealed by Philippine Fleet commander Rear Ronald
Joseph Mercado in an interview shortly after the welcoming ceremonies for BRP
Tarlac, the country's first SSV, Monday afternoon.
He said that five SSVs are part of the PN's desired
force-mix.
"I'm confident that the next set of defense officials,
national leadership, will continue with the modernization," Mercado
stressed.
Mercado earlier said that the country needs three more
strategic sealift vessels following the arrival of the BRP Tarlac (LD-601), the
PN's first SSV, last May 16.
The latter was sourced from PT PAL (Persero) and her
sister-ship is expected to be delivered by May 2017.
The PN's desired force-mix also include six frigates for
anti-air warfare, 12 corvettes for anti-submarine warfare, 18 offshore patrol
vessels, three submarines, three anti-mine vessels, 18 landing craft utility
vessels, three logistics ships, 12 coastal interdiction patrol boats, 30 patrol
gunboats, and 42 multi-purpose assault crafts that can be equipped with torpedoes
and missiles.
Also included in the envisioned force mix are eight
amphibious maritime patrol aircraft, 18 naval helicopters, and eight
multi-purpose helicopters.
The PN needs an estimated PHP497 billion to make this
project a reality.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=887825
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