Philippine Navy 25 - 30 Additional Ships Update Part 1

Philippine Navy 25 - 30 Additional Ships Updates Part 1

As part of Strategic Sail Plan 2020 and Desired Mixed Force of the Philippine Navy as well recent statement this year by FOIC the PN embark modernization acquisition both used and brand new naval vessels.

Currently Philippine Navy has 94 ships in various size plus the incoming 2 JRC Frigate being build by HHI that will be delivered earliest April 2020 and September 2020. As well as the three new MPAC MK IV that will be delivered this Aug. 2019

The Philippine Navy (PN) is planning to acquire 25 to 30 warships of various types within the next five to 10 years as part of its efforts to augment its fleet.

"We have plans to acquire 25 to 30 in the next five to 10 years. (This) includes corvettes, OPV's (offshore patrol vessels), and even submarines," PN flag officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad told reporters shortly after the keel-laying ceremony for the second missile frigate, BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), at Dock 4 of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea on Thursday.

Below are updates and detailed of the planned additional ships for Philippine Navy

1. One (1) BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39) 

A Pohang Class  flight III ships ASW version fitted for PN and as preparation training for 2 new Jose Rizal Class frigate. .

Basic Details

The ship's armament consists of two OTO Melara 76 mm/62 compact guns and two Otobreda DARDO 40 mm guns.The ship was also supplied with six 12.75-inch (324 mm) Mark 46 torpedoes and twelve Mark 9 depth charges. A hull mount sonar for submarine detection.
The ship measures 88.3 meters long, with a beam of 10 meters and draft of 2.9 meters. Displacement is at 1,216 tons full load. The ship is rated for a crew of 118 personnel and can sustain operational presence for 20 days.
The vessel's Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion configuration of Motor Transport Unit (MTU) diesel engines and LM2500 gas turbine with controllable pitch propellers (CPP) enable the ship to move to a maximum speed of 25 knots to a distance of 4,000 nautical miles.


The ship was named Conrado Yap to uphold the legacy of a gallant Filipino military leader, who served in the Korean War as part of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea.

She scheduled to sail home on Aug. 5 after formal hand over with BRP Davao Del Sur escorting her. A possible maneuver exercise along the way home will be conducted

ANOTHER MISSION.  Fresh from its successful participation in the recent Russian Navy Day Celebration in Vladivostok, Russia, BRP Davao Del Sur arrives at Jinhae Naval Base, South Korea for another mission on Friday (Aug. 2, 2019).  The Philippine Navy’s strategic seaship vessel is tasked to escort home the newly-acquired BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39) donated South Korea sometimes in 2014. (Photo courtesy of Naval Public Affairs Office)

2. Eight (8) FAIC-M or Fast- Attack Interdiction Craft Missile armed with NLOS Missiles

Remember the previous announcement last Feb. 25, 2019 with some critic find absurd and will not come true.

"If we can get at least 10 ships, we can secure the waters (of) Mindanao from being used by the enemies of the state," Navy flag-officer-in-command, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, said in an interview with reporters Sunday. A fast craft is a small, quick and maneuverable ship fitted with missiles, torpedoes, and automatic cannon .

With basic details mention by FOIC Empedrad boats can stay at sea for seven to 10 days, noting that the existing units cannot do much patrolling work as they need to go back to port to refuel and re-stock on provisions every three days.

PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad said President Rodrigo Duterte has given the green light for the acquisition of eight FAIC-Ms for PHP10 billion budget.

During the Philippine Navy anniversary video of Shaldaq V was shown and will be the designated design basis.

Basic Specification of Shaldaq V

                                       Photo of SHALDAG MK V from Asian Military Review article

Length, overall - 31.20m
Beam, moulded - 6.40m 
Draft, max. - 1.25m 
Speed, max. - 40+ knots
Displacement - 95 tons
Crew - 12 to 14 
Range  - @ 33kn1,000nm 
Endurance -  (days)6

Armaments

The fast patrol boat can be armed with a 25mm-30mm TYPHOON automatic gun, two 12.7mm or 7.62mm MINI-TYPHOON heavy machine guns, and other manually operated guns of similar configuration.
It can also carry up to eight short-range anti-ship missiles to engage targets at sea or on the coastline.

Navigation and sensor systems on-board 

The integrated navigation system on-board the vessel includes a laser range-finder, high-definition cameras, thermal imaging equipment, and a control console with 15in multi-functional displays.
The sensor suite integrates an X-band surface search radar, and Rafael TOPLITE or IAI POP electro-optical system (EOS) for surveillance and fire control during day and night.

Propulsion and performance

The SHALDAG-class FPB is powered by two independently operated MTU diesel engines of 16V2000 or 12V4000 type. The engines propel two MJP 550DD or 650DD water jets.
The SHALDAG MK V has a maximum speed of 40kt and can carry 13,000l of fuel and 1,000l of fresh water.

Currently planned to armed with Spike NLOS similar to below. An Israel-made Spike missile launches from a Typhoon MLS-NLOS missile system installed on the Azerbaijani Coast Guard's Saar 62 offshore patrol vessel.

Currently a government to government (G2G) acquisition and with expected contract signing within the 3rd quarter of the year. Delivery scheduled will on 2021 thru 2022 period. A technology transfer was part of the agreement with platforms constructed locally of some of the units. A follow up option contract for additional 4 to 6 missiles armed are in the pipeline negotiation.
President Duterte approved the acquisition of eight fast attack interdiction boats equipped with anti-boat missile systems with an approved budget of US$191 million.

3. Two (2) Landing Docks  

The Department of National Defense (DND), through the Revised Armed Forces Modernization Program, is allocating the sum of PHP5.56 billion for the acquisition of two brand-new landing docks for the Philippine Navy (PN).

As per bidding invitation by PN the project called Landing Docks Acquisition Projects (LDAP) to differiante from to LPD Tarlac class with slightly different Technical Specification . As per sealed bids

- Two (2) units New construction Landing Docks Vessels
- Four (4) Units of Landing Craft Utility (LCU)
- Four (4) Units Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB)
- with Integrated Logistic Support (ILS)
- Delivery of ships within 1095 days
- Minimum gross tonnage of 7000 tons
- 1 unit of the LD will be constructed in-country through tie up with local companies or shipyard
-  accommodation and capable of handling MPAC Mk 3
- storage for missile and ammunition 

Initially bid opening was on July 4, 2019 but after pre bid conference it was postpone to give more time for for bidders. Bid submission was for Aug. 8, 2019 

Various Bid supplemental was issued to clarify issued raised by proponents

We will create blog for LDAP detailing technical specification and various bidders offered designed where PT PAL of Indonesia offering the upgraded SSV was leading and basis configuration.

4. Six (6) OPV Austal Design

We posted a blog for the Austal OPV with link below for details of ships and updates for this project.

"Offshore Patrol Vessels Acquisition Project" dated July 27, 2019

With statement from SND Lorenzana contract signing within this year as well as other news from Manila Standard confirming that Austal designed will be the OPV for Philippine Navy.

For updates see our blog for this project

5. Two (2) Corvette 

                                               HHI Corvette s smaller version of HDC 1200 design

The two new corvette will have a budget of Php28 Billion and anticipate to be more capable to two JRC frigate being construct by HHI.

Empedrad stated the two warships, which costs about US$535 million, are more expensive but more capable than the two brand new frigates which are currently being constructed by the South Korean shipyard Hyundai Heavy Industries for US$344 million. Hyundai is expected to deliver the ships in April and September next year.

The design will be base on JRC frigate and some element of the OPV design by Austal. With most of the sensor system coming from Israel similar to Saar 6 sensor system on platform of HHI corvette HDC-1200 design.

We will write a separate blog for corvette acquisition later on.

6. Three (3) Submarine

AS explained by FOIC Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad said the country also needs to acquire submarines as they are the "future of naval warfare". This, he said, is due to their stealthy nature, which makes them very difficult to detect. Submarines are naval vessels that can operate in deep or shallow waters and are capable of carrying a variety of weapons that can be used to attack land, sea and air targets

Initially as part of Horizon 3 planned sub aquisition it was deemed necessary to start looking for possible supplier as it takes about 5 years to construct submarine plus training of sub crew
Submarine Group of PN has already sending staff for training

When Phase 2 (Horizon 2) of RAFPMP 10349 was approved submarine was included and front loaded for acquisition for 2 submarine.

We will create a blog to address various issue and details for the submarine acquisition.

One of the supplier for submarine was from Russia with Kilo Class

With option for loan from Russia Philippine navy evaluate capabilities and functionality of the sub other source was being looked into due to possible CAATSA issue

                                          Russia's new Project 636 (Varshavyanka) diesel-electric submarine (SSK) "B-261 Novorossiysk" transiting in                                                      Belgium's EEZ. File Picture: Belgian Navy


Recently one of the supplier being looked into is from France the Scorpene submarine

                                                                Royal Malaysian Navy's Scorpene-class submarine (Picture source Wikipedia)

SND Lorenzana is schedule to have meeting with his French counterpart to discuss various military equipment including submarine.

Above was part of the Philippine Navy Desired Mixed Force

The PN’s 15-year Strategic Development Plan, revolving around the “Philippine Fleet Desired Force Mix” envisages a surface, sub-surface and aerial assets including major “big-ticket items” such as six anti-air warfare-oriented frigates, 12 corvettes optimized for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), 18 offshore patrol vessels, three submarines, three mine countermeasures vessels, up to four Strategic Support Vessels (SSVs), up to eight Amphibious Maritime Patrol Aircraft, and 18 naval helicopters equipped for ASW. Not counting a significant number of coastal patrol assets, fleet auxiliaries and other aerial support platforms.

Part two of the blog Philippine Navy 25- 30 Additional Ships Update

1 - BRP Conrado Yap
8 - FAIC M - Shaldaq V
2 - LPD Makassar
6 - Austal OPV
2 - Corvette from HHI design
3 - Submarine - contest between South Korea Chang Bogo and Scorpene
2 to 3 - additional Pohang or
1- to 2 Ulsan dependent on SK
3 - Additional Frigate JRC 2.0 upgraded specs if additional source of fund source out
1 - Hamilton WHEC from US (bundled with other assets purchase and EDA)
4 - MPAC Missile armed for LDAP ships

Total 28 to 30 ships excluding the MPAC as thier mother vessels is the LDAP ships