The Philippine Navy (PN) is not engaging in any
arms race in the region, but it true that we badly need to beef up our naval
fleet for the protection of our marine territories.
The PN thru government-to-government procurement
approach will acquire their brand new offshore patrol vessel(OPV’s)
.
"Yes, because we are availing of Australian
government financing (for the project)," Defense Secretary Delfin
Lorenzana said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) over the
weekend.
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| Austal's rendition of the proposed PN OPV's (photo credit to Austal) |
The PN aims to have six brand new OPV’s for PHP30
billion, a project that Australia-based global shipbuilder and defense
contractor Austal has expressed interest to participate in.
In naval parlance an OPV is a large vessel capable
of long-distance patrolling.
Austal is offering a larger version of
its 80-meter Cape-class patrol vessels being used by the Royal Australian Navy
and Australian Border Force. Earlier, Lorenzana said the PN is preferring a
government-to-government approach in acquiring the vessels.
"Government-to-government is (the
procurement process being favored) by the PN," the DND chief said.
The OPV project are part of Horizon Two of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines Modernization Program and expected to replace the World War II
corvettes and minesweepers still in PN service as of this time.
Government-to-government procurement approach is
an advantage as it does not require a large capital outlay and has sovereign
guarantee aside from the equipment being acquired much easier and faster.
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Report from PNA
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