4 more frigates needed to secure PH seas: Navy chief
MANILA -- To fully protect the country's vast maritime
domains and resources, the Philippines needs four more modern frigates aside
from the two contracted with South Korean shipbuilder, Hyudai Heavy Industries
(HHI).
This was
the remark of Philippine Navy (PN) flag-officer-in-command Rear Admiral Robert
Empedrad when asked how many more modern warships the Navy needs to fully
secure the country’s maritime domains.
Empedrad
issued this statement during the Frigate Acquisition Project hearing at the
Senate last Feb. 19 where issues concerning the brand of combat management
system (CMS) to be installed were discussed.
"Based
on our Modernization Program, we will require six of the frigates until 2028 –
that is our Third Horizon. Apat pa after we get these two ships," he said.
The
frigates, presently being built by HHI, will be armed with weapons capable of
neutralizing surface, sub-surface and air threats aside from its electronic
warfare ability.
These
ships have a contract of PHP18 billion, including their weapons systems and
munitions.
In the
same hearing, the Navy chief said there are also plans to install a CMS and
upgrade the weapon systems of the three Hamilton-class cutters acquired from
the US Coast Guard.(PNA)
Comments
Post a Comment