The Philippine Navy is expecting a major boost to its maritime defense capabilities with the arrival of four additional warships and six anti-submarine helicopters over the next several years as part of the military modernization program.
Rear Admiral Joe Anthony Orbe, commander of the Philippine Fleet, said the incoming offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) would significantly strengthen the Navy’s patrol and presence operations in the West Philippine Sea.
“The four will be arriving until 2028,” Orbe said during a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
The vessels form part of the six OPVs acquired by the Department of National Defense (DND) from South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries under a P30-billion modernization contract.
Two of the vessels have already been delivered, including the second ship that arrived earlier this month and is set to be commissioned on May 29 as BRP Rajah Lakandula during the Navy’s 128th anniversary celebration.
According to Orbe, the AFP modernization program has already expanded the Navy’s operational reach and endurance at sea.
“Before, our ships were limited in endurance. A week, at the most two weeks, perhaps,” he said.
“But now, with the modern platforms that we have, we can stay 20 days, even more than a month at sea without the need for refueling or reprovisioning,” he added.
The Navy official said the additional patrol vessels would allow more ships to be deployed simultaneously across the country’s vast maritime territories.
“This is a big boost to the Philippine Fleet’s ability to support the Philippine Navy’s mission to put more platforms at sea at any one time,” Orbe said.
Meanwhile, Captain Ariel Joseph Coloma, commander of the Naval Air Warfare Group, said the Navy is also preparing to acquire six more AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat anti-submarine helicopters within the next four to five years.
The Navy currently operates two AW-159 Wildcats deployed aboard its missile-guided frigates.
Coloma said the helicopters have already been integrated into naval operations and joint exercises across different parts of the country.
“The AW-159 Wildcat helicopters are full anti-submarine warfare-capable helicopters so they can detect, identify and prosecute subsurface targets,” he said.
Officials said the planned acquisitions are expected to further improve the Navy’s capability to monitor territorial waters, conduct maritime security operations, and respond to emerging threats in Philippine waters.