Defense chief to prioritize Naval upgrade efforts

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 10): Defense chief to prioritize Naval upgrade efforts

National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said efforts to upgrade the Philippine Navy (PN) will be his focus in his six-year term as defense chief.

He made the commitment during Friday's welcoming ceremony for BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17), the country's third Hamilton-class cutter acquired through the US Excess Defense Articles Program.

"We are a maritime country, our maritime territory is 20 times bigger than our land mass so it is just right that we go into a program to upgrade our Navy. And that will be my mission as SND (secretary of national defense) for the next six years," Lorenzana added.

The Philippine coastline is estimated at 36,289 km., one of the longest in the world.

"The PN's acquisition of BRP Andres Bonifacio is proof of our continuing firm resolve and determination to upgrade the capabilities of the Armed Forces... Of course, courtesy of the United States of America," he said.

The BRP Andres Bonifacio was the USCGC Boutwell which was retired from US Coast Guard service last March 16 and handed to the PN last July 21.

Hamilton-class cutters have a gross tonnage of 3,250 tons, a length of 378 ft., beam of 43 ft., and draft of 15 ft.

Its propulsion systems consist of two diesel engines and two gas turbine engines, giving it a top speed of 29 knots and a crew of 88 officers and enlisted personnel.

The ship has a cruising range of 14,000 miles and has a sea and loiter time of 45 days.

"Cognizant of our real need for PN assets, we thanked the United States government for enabling the sale of this frigate to the Philippines under the Excess Defense Articles Program. We greatly anticipate the placement of Andres Bonifacio in duty status in the conduct of naval operations," the defense chief stressed.

Lorenzana said he expects the BRP Andres Bonifacio, once painted naval grey, to be deployed to Sulu waters to help foil kidnapping and piracy incidents in this sea.

"This ship will certainly be a valuable platform in the pursuit of the constitutional mandate of the AFP. This will strengthen the PN capabilities in raising the country's security concerns in the protection of our territorial integrity, and maritime interest," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=947344