BRP Antonio Luna Holds Chemical Attack Defense Drills

26 September 2021

BRP Antonio Luna FF-151 (photos : BRP Antonio Luna)

MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN)'s second guided-missile frigate, the BRP Antonio Luna, has demonstrated its capability to protect its crewmen from chemical attack.

"As the newest and the most capable asset in the Philippine Navy, BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) conducts regular training and exercise so that it can respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attacks," a post from the ship's Facebook page said Thursday night.

Also posted was a video clip showing BRP Antonio Luna's response to a simulated chemical weapon attack where crewmen were seen locking down all access points of the ship to prevent deadly gases from seeping in.

The video also showed the ship's crewmen donning protective gear and going outside the weather decks to doubly ensure that all hatches are properly sealed.

"Pre-wetting" or spraying water all over the ship's weather was also done to prevent chemical agents from sticking.

The BRP Antonio Luna and the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) have the capability to detect chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) attacks.

The PN earlier said these ships would automatically seal themselves once its sensors detect that it is being subjected to CBRNE attacks.

Once the ship is sealed, all possible contaminants are prevented from entering the ship's spaces, it added.

Both ships are also capable of surface, sub-surface, air, and electronic warfare using state-of-the-art electronic sensors, long-range missiles, acoustic-guided torpedoes, and an embarked anti-submarine helicopter.

The BRP Jose Rizal was commissioned on July 10, 2020, while BRP Antonio Luna's commissioning date was on March 19 this year.

The contract for the two ships was placed at PHP16 billion, with PHP2 billion for weapon systems and munitions. 

(PNA)