(News Feature) Del Pilar-class frigates to expose PHL Navy personnel to modern ship operations

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 23): (News Feature) Del Pilar-class frigates to expose PHL Navy personnel to modern ship operations

The decision to acquire Hamilton-class cutters, now the Gregorio Del Pilar-class frigates in Philippine Navy (PN) service, was made to give Filipino naval personnel experience in handling relatively large and modern vessels.

"The Hamilton-class cutters are a good platform for maritime patrols and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, considering their size, equipment, and speed," PN spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said in an interview with the PNA.

A Hamilton-class cutter/Del Pilar-class frigate weighs 3,250 tons, has a length of 378 ft., beam of 43 ft., with 15 ft. of draft.

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

The ship has a cruising range of 14,000 miles (equivalent to 22,530.816 km.) and has a sea and loiter time of 45 days.

Exposure to the Gregorio Del Pilar-class frigate will give Filipino naval ratings the necessary training on how to operate combined diesel-gas propulsion systems, as well as actual hands-on training in flight-deck operations and operating modern weapon systems, such as the 76 mm. Oto Melara main gun and 25 mm. "Bushmaster" automatic cannon.

"And she's also a perfect transition for our incoming brand-new and modern ships intended as part of our modernization program," he added.

Lincuna was referring to the two brand-new missile firing frigates whose contract was won by Hyundai Heavy Industries last October 24.

These state-of-the-art vessels are expected to be in commission within three years time.

The BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17), the former USCGC Boutwell and the third member of the PN's Del Pilar-class frigates, arrived home last December 9.

She is the sister ship of BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (FF-15), which was acquired in Dec. 2011, and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, (FF-16) which was commissioned in November 2013.

To date, they are the largest surface combatants of the PN.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=950667