Brand-new frigates still part of PN modernization

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 29): Brand-new frigates still part of PN modernization

Despite the impending arrival of BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) to the country this coming August, the Philippine Navy (PN) announced that it is still looking to acquire brand-new frigates to further boost its maritime awareness capabilities.

"(The frigates is still) part of the modernization program. (We are) now in the process of coming up with the final documents for the bidding," PN flag-officer-in-charge Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano said.

This includes the listing of the operational requirements wanted by the PN for its prospective frigates.

Alano clarified that once this process is completed, it would be up to the Department of National Defense (DND) to start up the country's frigate project.

Arrival of the Hamilton-class cutters in PN service is expected to boost up the maritime domain awareness capability of the Philippines.

The DND earlier announced that the budget for the two missile-firing frigates has been increased to P18 billion.

This is P7 billion higher than the P11 billion earlier allocated.

Five countries have expressed their intention to sell the Philippines modern frigates and offshore patrol vessels which will help the country protect its vast maritime territories.

These offers came from the United States, Israel, Croatia, South Korea and Australia.

All vessels being offered by these nations are brand new.

Offers of the above-mentioned countries started coming during the last quarter of 2012.

The DND attributed the sudden influx of would-be-suppliers to the fact the Philippine is now seriously upgrading its military forces.

The Philippines is in the market for two modern and powerful frigates in order to enhance its maritime domain awareness and protection capabilities.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=549083