PCG to get new vessels from French and Japan

CEBU, Philippines —  The Philippine Coast Guard is expected to get 40 fast patrolcrafts from the French government and five large ships from Japan.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the FPCs will help the PCG in enhancing its response capabilities in search and rescue operations, environmental protection, maritime law enforcement, and disaster response.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the 40 units of 35-meter FPCs will position the Philippines as “the youngest fleet in Southeast Asia.”

Approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board Chair, the acquisition will involve the assembly of the first 20 FPCs in France, while the other 20 vessels will be locally assembled in the Philippines.

Gavan said the P25.8 billion official development assistance (ODA) from France is “so far the largest single purchase” as part of the PCG modernization.

“It is the largest single purchase so far in the modernization of the PCG. It is a game-changer for us. It will enable the Coast Guard to have at least two patrol boats in every district fast enough to reach the edges of our exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” said Commandant Gavan in press briefing in Malacañang.

With the addition of 40 35-meter fast crafts, it will effectively quadruple the current PCG fleet by 2026 according to reports.

Commandant Gavan said the FPCs will be used against maritime crimes, such as smuggling, drug trafficking, piracy, and illegal fishing, among others.

He added that it will also be deployed for West Philippine Sea response, as well as search and rescue, and surveillance operations and maritime protection.

“This will form part the force mix that we need to address threats [in the West Philippine Sea] and all forms of maritime crimes,” he said.

Aside from the FPCs, PCG is also expected to get five more large ships from Japan.

President Marcos Jr.has also has approved the acquisition of five 97-meter ships from Japan.

“Once delivered, we will have around eight large ships,” Gavan added.

Based on reports last May, these five ships come from the country’s loan to Japan amounting to 64.38 billion yen ($413 million) to buy the five 97-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels and pay for the "development of the required support facilities".