DND, S. Korean firm ink deal for PHL's first missile firing frigates

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 25): DND, S. Korean firm ink deal for PHL's first missile firing frigates

The Department of National Defense (DND) and South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) finally signed the contract for the country's first two missile armed frigates.

This was confirmed by DND public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong in a message to the Philippines News Agency.

He said the contract was signed by DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and HHI representatives around 3:00 p.m. Monday at the Philippine Navy Headquarters, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

"Notice of Award (NOA) was formally served to HHI last Aug. 4," Andolong said.

"NOA was given to HHI as GRSE (Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd) was post-disqualified after it was determined that their Net Financial Capacity was insufficient and therefore not in compliance with Republic Act 9184 (Government Procurement Policy Board)," he added.

GRSE along with HHI was one of the six proponents in the DND's frigate program.

In the NOA, HHI offered PHP15,744,571,884 for the two frigates.

The DND has allocated the sum of PHP18 billion for the acquisition of two missile-capable frigates, with PHP16 billion going to the construction of the ships and PHP2 billion for its munitions.

The ships will be armed with a variety of sensors and weapons capable of detecting and neutralizing air, surface, and submarine threats.

It will be also capable of electronic warfare.

Aside from this, the frigates, according to their technical specifications, must be capable of performing of extended maritime patrol with an embarked naval helicopter and extended maritime surveillance capability through air-and-surface-search radar, and sound navigation and ranging (sonar) for sub-surface search.

It will be armed and fitted a variety of air-to-air, anti-ship, and anti-submarine weapons.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=934314