Military set to acquire 2 more Hamilton-class cutters

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Navy is set to beef up its fleet with two more Hamilton-class cutters from the United States, one of which may be delivered early next year, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. said Friday.

“We hope that we can get the second one probably early next year,” Oban said.

The Navy recently acquired its first Hamilton-class cutter, rechristened BRP Gregorio del Pilar.

Now the Navy’s flagship, it is undergoing refurbishing and is being equipped with new surveillance and electronic systems at the Sangley Point Naval Base in Cavite.

Oban said high-level talks between the AFP and the US government on boosting the Navy’s capabilities are underway.

Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama, for his part, said a proposal for the acquisition of two more Hamilton-class vessels has already been submitted to the US government.

“We have already forwarded our proposal signifying our intention to acquire two more Hamilton-class cutters,” Pama said.