The amount will go to the purchase of frigates, corvettes,
patrol vessels, landing craft, submarines, and other vesseks and equipment,
according to Lt. Commander Nerelito Martinez, Philippine Fleet acting chief of
staff for plans and programs.
He said the need for such vessels and new equipment was
thoroughly assessed during the Navy's strategic planning workshop last year.
"Current market research and assessment will give us a
figure of about P497 billion for the acquisition of all the listed equipment.
It may be costly at our current standards but is not unrealistic," Martinez
The vessels that the Navy needs now are 6 frigates
configured for anti-air warfare. The frigates will be able to carry
helicopters.
"The vessels shall be deployed for naval deterrence and
naval presence in critical areas. The vessels shall also be deployed to support
the country's international defense and security engagements having (the)
capability for long-range high seas navigation," Martinez
He added that the Navy also needs 12 corvettes, 18 offshore
patrol vessels, and 3 submarines for undersea defense, and 3 mine
countermeasure vessels.
The list also inclues 4 strategic sealift vessels; 18
landing craft, 3 logistics support ships, 6 tugboats, 12 coastal patrol vessel, 30 patrol
gunboats, 42 multi-purpose assault
craft; 24 rigid-hull inflatable boats, 8 amphibious maritime patrol aircraft,
18 naval helicopters, and 8
multi-purpose helicopters.
The Philippines
and China are currently
locked in a territorial dispute over ownership of Scarborough
shoal in the waters just off Zambales.
(PhilStar)
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