PH Navy's OPVs gets much needed weapons upgrade

The Philippine Navy has big plans for the Gregorio Del Pilar (GDP) class offshore patrol vessels(OPVs).

The much delayed weapons upgrade are now a reality for these workhorses of the Philippine Navy, as the PH Navy said they are in place.

"That will come later. Right now the (ongoing) del Pilar-class upgrade will involve the installation of (a) sonar (system), installation of (a) combat management system, and the installation of (an) air-search radar," Navy flag-officer-in-command, Rear Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, said

Currently the GDP OPVs are armed with a 76-mm. Oto Melara automatic cannon, 25-mm. and 20-mm. light cannons, and .50-caliber machine guns.

BRP Andres Bonifacio
(photo credit to owner)

Bacordo added that a sonar system would be useless if it is not augmented with a weapon system capable of prosecuting hostile submarine contacts.

"If you put on a sonar (system), what will (you use to prosecute) a submarine (contact)," he added.

The Gregoro Del Pilar -class upgrade program was awarded to the South Korean defense manufacturer Hanwha Systems Co., Ltd. and has a contract price of PHP1,304,200,000.

This seeks to beef up the three ships' electronic capabilities and make them more capable of patrolling and conducting inter-agency operations in the country's territorial waters. 

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Report from PNA

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