THE Philippine Navy is looking to acquire at least 12 fastcraft under the military’s ongoing modernization program in order to secure the vast waters of Mindanao and the country’s porous borders, and seal them from crisscrossing terrorists and other enemies of the state.
Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad said on Sunday that the technical aspects and the procurement of the vessels are being prepared by the Navy’s technical working group before submission to President Duterte through the Department of National Defense.
“We still have to present it to the SND (Secretary of National Defense) and then we still have to seek the approval of the President. But I’m sure if the President sees this, he will approve it as it is also in line with his pronouncement that we have to sink our enemies once we spot them on the water,” Empedrad said.
“I am sure the President will like this project,” he added, noting that once they acquire the needed number of such craft, they can prevent the waters of Mindanao from being used as a shipment point for terrorists and other members of threat groups.
The Navy currently uses South Korean-made fastcraft, but Empedrad said these are too old and could only sustain a few days in water before they need re-provisioning. The fastcraft being eyed can conduct patrols for at least a week up to 10 days before they have to be resupplied.
“This should sustain our 24/7 patrols and ensure that our enemies can no longer use the water,” Empedrad said.
The fastcraft should complement the planned procurement of at least 42 multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC), a number of which are already in the Navy’s service, both for both internal and external security operations.
Last year, the Navy test fired an Israeli-made Spike-ER missile aboard one of the MPACs in Limay, Bataan.
Meanwhile, Empedrad confirmed that the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, the Navy’s flagship, will undergo a capability upgrade, both in its weapon and combat management systems.
The improvement to cost P1.5 billion, will be undertaken, possibly by a United Kingdom-based defense contractor, which has already won the initial phase of the bidding.