New naval assets highlight PH Fleet’s 85th anniversary

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 20, 2023): New naval assets highlight PH Fleet’s 85th anniversary (By Priam Nepomuceno)

PN chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. (Photo courtesy of PN)

MANILA – The Philippine Fleet (PF) celebrated its 85th anniversary on April 18 with the acquisition of additional naval assets and development of new capabilities.

"Among the notable PF accomplishments in the recent year include the delivery of two additional fast attack interdiction-craft platforms, successful conduct of the first ever replenishment-at-sea (RAS) between the two Jose Rizal-class frigates, and the acquisition of two Cyclone-class patrol combatants," PF spokesperson Lt. Giovanni Badidles said in a statement forwarded to reporters Thursday.

Badidles was referring to the RAS between BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) last March 23 to 25 in Zambales waters, turnover by the US Navy of two Cyclone-class patrol vessels to the Philippine Navy (PN) after its decommissioning in Bahrain in March 28, and delivery of two more Acero-class gunboats (also known as the Israel shipyard-manufactured Shaldag Mark V) last April 11.

These additional naval assets and skill sets will greatly enhance the PF's capabilities to protect the country's territorial waters.

The theme for the PF's 85th anniversary is "A Legacy of Excellence: 85 Years of Protecting Our Seas, Defending Our Nation."

Meanwhile, PN chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. called the PF "the backbone of our naval operations and integral to our country’s national security and defense posture" during the anniversary ceremonies held at Magluyan Hall of Naval Base Heracleo Alano in Cavite City.

He also lauded the PF's sub-units, officers, enlisted personnel, civilian human resources and stakeholders who all "made significant contributions to our Navy’s Philippine Fleet."

As this developed, PF commander Rear Admiral Renato David expressed his high regard to "the contribution of our brave sailors, airmen, and officers deployed in the frontline, the professional competence and institutional expertise of our civilian human resources, the support personnel who work hard to ensure that the logistics requirements are delivered, the stakeholders who keep helping us achieve our mandates."

"We also honor the tradition of valor in the naval service and we pay homage to the memory of those who have gone ahead of us, whose deeds are written in the annals of our Command and who made history before us." he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199785