THE Philippines has fixed its sights on the acquisition of Scorpène-class attack submarines from France in the next couple of years, a modernization project which, if consummated, would highlight the Philippine Navy’s capability upgrade program in the years to come.
The delivery of the underwater vessels, the first ever in the history of the Navy, would also automatically enlist the Philippines as one of the countries in the region that proudly flutters the submarine badge.
“Wow, that would be great,” exclaimed Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad when informed of the progress of the submarine program and the idea of the Navy’s sailing and prowling Philippine waters with a submarine force.
In preparation for the planned procurement, the Navy is currently beefing up its stock of knowledge and skill in submarine operations.
On Tuesday, Navy officials and future submariners engaged French military officials and submarine experts in discussion under a four-day subject matter exchange on underwater operations and warfare.
“In preparation for the upcoming acquisition of the submarine as part of the Philippine Navy’s modernization program, a four-day subject matter expert exchange with the French Navy SMEs was conducted,” Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said in a news statement.
Choices
When the idea of securing the country’s vast maritime waters with the help of underwater craft dawned on the Navy, and was ardently pursued by the Navy under Empedrad, the Navy began its search for possible suppliers. South Korea, Russia and Germany were considered, but the choice winded down to France through its well-known Scorpène-class submarine.
“We came up with technical aspects of our submarine requirements with our technical working group and it fits our requirements,” Empredad explained, comparing the specs of the Scorpène with other well-known submarines from the other countries available on the market like the Russian Kilo-class hunter-killer submarine.
The Russian-made diesel attack submarine, at least six of which are already in the service of the Vietnamese Navy, was earlier identified as the frontrunner to the Navy’s need, owing to its much hyped capability, other than President Duterte’s tilt to the east in the country’s diplomacy offensive. But still, the Scorpène beat the Kilo-class in the Navy’s periscope.
“Actually, I have seen all the submarines from Russia. [They] are big submarines. But if we see what the Navy is requiring, the Scorpène fits more the requirement,” Empedrad said, noting that South Korea and Germany also offered their own type of underwater craft.
Aside from meeting the technical specifications, the Navy decided to go for the Scorpène because of the assistance offered by the French government, which is willing to finance the procurement through a soft loan, and at 1 percent interest.
If the plans push through, Empedrad said, the Navy should have its first pair of the French-made submarine in 2027, at the cost of about P70 billion, thus assuring the country—being a maritime nation—of security, while beefing up the capability of the whole Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The Malaysian Navy already has in its service two Scorpène-class submarines and it will acquire two more as it earlier announced.
Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines and China are all claimants to some portions of the South China Sea.
Before it decided to acquire the Scorpène, Malaysia thoroughly reviewed the design and capabilities of both the French-made and Russian-made submarines since the Kilo-class was also a frontrunner. However, it eventually went for the Scorpène because of its balanced design that integrated stealth and offensive capabilities.
Respect
In acquiring a submarine, which is the highest realization of the Navy’s modernization project and the crown jewel of every military around the world because of its capability, Empedrad wanted to regain the military’s standing as one of the best and modern-equipped forces in the Asia-Pacific region decades ago, before it ebbed as the least developed military in Southeast Asia.
It so commanded respect that its claim and occupation of the Scarborough Shoal, which was formerly its target range, was not challenged even by China, which is already exercising de facto control over the shoal.
Empedrad said it was this kind of respect that he invoked when boxer-turned-senator Manny Pacquiao asked him questions when the Senate looked into the Navy’s frigate acquisition project.
“I was asked by Senator Pacquiao, I still remember, and he asked me what does the Navy need more,” he recalled a portion of the Senate hearing.
“Sir, if you want other nations to respect the capability of our Philippine Navy, give us submarines. We need submarines if we want to get the respect of other countries,” Empedrad said, recalling his response.
The Navy chief said the procurement of submarines would complete what they have been dreaming of—a modern navy, no more, no less.
Other assets
The submarine program would complement the other ongoing and planned procurements of the Navy, such as the recently delivered two AgustaWestland anti-submarine helicopters worth P5.4 billion, a South Korea-made corvette and two other brand-new frigates, also from South Korea.
The Navy has also made other procurements before these, including two brand-new landing dock vessels, one of which is already steaming toward the Middle East to help ferry home Filipino workers from Iraq and even Libya.
“We will complete the full capability of the anti-submarine warfare this year,” Empedrad said of the two delivered anti-submarine choppers, the full delivery of missiles and torpedoes of which is forthcoming.
By that time, the training of naval aviators would have also been completed, which Empedrad said could be concluded possibly in November.
South Korea also delivered in July last year the first batch of LIG Nex1 “Blue Shark” lightweight torpedoes for the two AgustaWestland helicopters, which will serve as their primary weapons.
The Navy is also acquiring two South Korean-made corvettes, Australian-manufactured offshore patrol vessels (OPV) and eight Israeli-made missile-firing fast attack craft (FAIC), four of which would be manufactured in the country, with the expected upgrading of the Navy’s shipyard in Sangley Point, Cavite.
The FAIC will replace Navy gunboats.
Empedrad has also lined up other future and possible acquisitions like additional multipurpose fast attack craft (MPAC), frigates and offshore patrol vessels
“Based on the future [apportioning] of the Philippine Navy, we should have six frigates, 12 corvettes and 18 OPVs. Our requirement for MPAC is 42. Since we already have 12, we need 30 more MPAC with missile capability,” he said.
‘Admiral of Admirals’
The development of the Navy punctuated by the ongoing procurement and future acquisitions defined Empedrad’s leadership of the military’s sea force, which he will leave next month with his mandatory retirement.
Empedrad will retire from the Navy where he is known as the “Admiral of Admirals,” not only for keeping the Navy afloat but graphing and setting its sailing plan through the level and intensity of the capability upgrade program that he pursued and implemented within a short period.
Still, he was very modest about his feat. “I [just] came [in] while the modernization program [was already] in full swing,” he said.
Empedrad assumed as the Navy chief at the height of the frigate acquisition controversy in late December 2017, an issue that the Navy weathered through his leadership.
If his lofty dreams for the command he will soon leave come to fruition in the future, then the old joke about the Navy being a “dumping ground” for other uniformed men sanctioned and placed on “floating status”—in a play on the word “floating”—will no longer be suitable.
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