After new patrol ship, Navy mulls getting submarines

MANILA, Philippines - Bouyed by the scheduled arrival of a Hamilton-class patrol ship from the United States, military strategists are studying the acquisition of submarines for the Philippine Navy, an official said yesterday.

Lt. Comdr. Merlito Martinez, head of the Navy’s plans and programs, is spearheading the study in line with the Navy’s 2020 vision to modernize its fleet.

Philippine Fleet spokesman Ltjg. Rommel Rodriguez said this move is one step forward in the Navy’s modernization program. He said the study covers the identification of possible suppliers and sources of funds.

“It looks impossible for now but definitely we are taking this step because right now President Aquino is determined to improve our naval capability. That is why we are undertaking this study,” he said.

Rodriguez said military experts from South Korea, Japan and the United Kingdom have already made their presentation on their submarine’s technologies and capabilities to the Navy study group.

Rear Adm. Jose Luis Alano, commander of the Philippine Fleet, wanted the study done following a command conference last week, wherein the scheduled turnover of the Hamilton-class cutter by the US authorities to the Philippine Navy in San Diego, California, was high on the agenda.

The Navy, through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s modernization and capability upgrade program, acquired the cutter through the US Excess Defense Articles (EDA) almost for free, but had to shoulder the needed refurbishment and training of personnel as well as the transfer of the vessel, amounting to around P1.2 billion.

The patrol ship, manned by Filipino sailors the Philippine Navy sent to the US for training and to bring home the vessel, is scheduled to arrive in the country during the first week of August. Once it is officially commissioned, it would serve as the Navy’s command platform in all its maritime security and territorial patrols.