This will be the latest transfer of patrol boats to the Philippines following March's Cyclone transfer.
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Washington (WPB 1331) patrols off Palau during Operation Kurukuru, Oct. 7, 2019. The cutter had embarked a Palauan ship rider and was assisting in law enforcement boardings during the operation. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew West/Released)
On Monday, the U.S. announced its intention to transfer four patrol boats to the Philippine Navy. The transfer intends to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization plan, specifically the Philippine Navy’s maritime capabilities.
The intended patrol boat transfer consists of two Island and two Protector-class patrol boats from the U.S. Coast Guard. As of this writing, the vessels from these classes that the U.S. is looking to transfer have not been specified.
On Monday, the U.S. announced its intention to transfer four patrol boats to the Philippine Navy. The transfer intends to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization plan, specifically the Philippine Navy’s maritime capabilities.
The intended patrol boat transfer consists of two Island and two Protector-class patrol boats from the U.S. Coast Guard. As of this writing, the vessels from these classes that the U.S. is looking to transfer have not been specified.
The Protector-class cutter Brant was decommissioned in St. Petersburg, Florida, in March of 2022. Protectors are being phased out in Coast Guard service by the more capable Sentinel-class cutters. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Ayla Hudson.
Coming in at 168 and 91 tons respectively, the boats are less capable than the three larger 3250-ton Hamilton-class cutters the Philippines received in a similar transfer 12 years ago. These patrol boats will be the latest to join the Philippine Navy’s Littoral Combat Force, the command within the service that is responsible for missions close to the Philippines’ shores and internal waterways. The command also recently received four Israeli-origin Acero-class gunboats.
This follows another recent transfer of U.S. patrol vessels to the Philippine Navy, with USS Monsoon (PC 4) and USS Chinook (PC 9) being handed over to the service in March. Monday’s release did confirm that the two Patrol Coastals are currently en route to Manila.
Coming in at 168 and 91 tons respectively, the boats are less capable than the three larger 3250-ton Hamilton-class cutters the Philippines received in a similar transfer 12 years ago. These patrol boats will be the latest to join the Philippine Navy’s Littoral Combat Force, the command within the service that is responsible for missions close to the Philippines’ shores and internal waterways. The command also recently received four Israeli-origin Acero-class gunboats.
This follows another recent transfer of U.S. patrol vessels to the Philippine Navy, with USS Monsoon (PC 4) and USS Chinook (PC 9) being handed over to the service in March. Monday’s release did confirm that the two Patrol Coastals are currently en route to Manila.
BRP Kalanggaman being shadowed by a China Coast Guard cutter in the West Philippine Sea. This French class of Philippine Coast Guard patrol boat is similar to the four vessels the U.S. is looking to transfer to the Philippines. PCG Photo
Given the littoral nature of the Philippine archipelago, the vessels will likely find themselves performing similar duties akin to their service in the U.S. Coast Guard such as maritime interdiction and search and rescue. In the early 2000s, the Philippines received two former U.S. Coast Guard Point-class cutters, precursors of the two Protector-class boats planned for transfer. The Philippine Coast Guard also operates the Boracay-class, a similar type of patrol boat of French origin.
Included in Monday’s announcement alongside the four patrol boats were three C-130H Hercules transport aircraft. While this transfer is meant for improving the Philippine Air Force’s “tactical airlift capabilities,” it should be noted that the Philippines occasionally utilizes its C-130s in a rudimentary Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) role.
Given the littoral nature of the Philippine archipelago, the vessels will likely find themselves performing similar duties akin to their service in the U.S. Coast Guard such as maritime interdiction and search and rescue. In the early 2000s, the Philippines received two former U.S. Coast Guard Point-class cutters, precursors of the two Protector-class boats planned for transfer. The Philippine Coast Guard also operates the Boracay-class, a similar type of patrol boat of French origin.
Included in Monday’s announcement alongside the four patrol boats were three C-130H Hercules transport aircraft. While this transfer is meant for improving the Philippine Air Force’s “tactical airlift capabilities,” it should be noted that the Philippines occasionally utilizes its C-130s in a rudimentary Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) role.
Original Transfer in 2018. U.S Embassy Philippines Photo.
SABIR has been used on Chinese bases in the SCS. U.S. Embassy Photo
In 2018, through the U.S. Maritime Security Initiative, the Philippines received a Special Airborne Mission Installation and Response (SABIR) system. SABIR can be bolted onto utility aircraft, in the Philippines’ case the C-130, and turn it into a more capable platform. SABIR’s utilization for MDA was seen in a ceremony in March, where the Philippine Air Force showed the system in action monitoring Chinese military installations in the South China Sea.
U.S. congressional notification requirements are required before the four patrol boats and three utility aircraft can be transferred to the Philippines.
The U.S. and the Philippines are seeking closer naval ties amid tensions in the region. Amid increased Chinese activity in the South China Sea, the Philippines’ naval forces are seeking more vessels.
A joint patrol in the South China Sea is being planned for later this year.
https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/imdex-asia-2023/2023/05/u-s-looks-to-transfer-4-patrol-boats-to-the-philippines/
In 2018, through the U.S. Maritime Security Initiative, the Philippines received a Special Airborne Mission Installation and Response (SABIR) system. SABIR can be bolted onto utility aircraft, in the Philippines’ case the C-130, and turn it into a more capable platform. SABIR’s utilization for MDA was seen in a ceremony in March, where the Philippine Air Force showed the system in action monitoring Chinese military installations in the South China Sea.
U.S. congressional notification requirements are required before the four patrol boats and three utility aircraft can be transferred to the Philippines.
The U.S. and the Philippines are seeking closer naval ties amid tensions in the region. Amid increased Chinese activity in the South China Sea, the Philippines’ naval forces are seeking more vessels.
A joint patrol in the South China Sea is being planned for later this year.
https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/imdex-asia-2023/2023/05/u-s-looks-to-transfer-4-patrol-boats-to-the-philippines/
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