PBBM’s push may result in Navy’s confirmed sub acquisition program
WILL President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s announcement that the plan to acquire submarines for the Philippine Navy “is not off the table” provide the impetus needed to enable the Philippine Navy (PN) to once and for all acquire these highly specialized and sophisticated warships to beef up its fleet?
Marcos’s pronouncements reignited the interest of defense enthusiasts on these stealthy submersible vessels when he said, on the sidelines of the 126th PN founding anniversary on May 26, that offers are coming from different countries regarding the Navy’s possible submarine acquisition program.
“There is a plan. But it’s still being developed, because the commitment to operate a submarine is not a small commitment. It is a very large commitment because of the training that is involved, the equipment that is involved and the operational requirements that are involved are quite significant,” the President said, partly in Filipino.
Acquiring submarines for the Navy, the Chief Executive added, is still part of the plan but for the moment, the military is still focusing on its anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
“So, it is still part of our plan. But right now, we are in the middle of developing mostly our anti-submarine capabilities. So, we will do that first, and then hopefully when the time comes and the conditions are agreeable, then we might be able to acquire those submarines,” he stressed.
Also, Marcos said some of the countries making submarine offers also come with proposals to build the submersibles here in the Philippines.
Some of the countries that earlier expressed interest to participate in the PN submarine acquisition program are France, South Korea, India and Turkey.
He added that such proposals are important as such would boost the country’s defensive capabilities and create additional job opportunities.
“If they are built here and we can actually build submarines here and provide those submarines to other countries, then that’s another source of jobs, and of income and increased capability for our Navy,” the President said.
Earlier, the Department of National Defense (DND) said acquiring submarines for the PN is not a priority at the moment as the department is focusing on the implementation of modernization contracts signed by the previous administration.
These included the contracts for the two missile corvettes to be acquired from South Korea, the BrahMos missile system from India, 32 more S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters from Poland, and another six offshore patrol vessels also from South Korea.
The funding for these contracts is already assured by the government.
“Although submarines are on our wish list for Horizon 3, the Department is prioritizing the implementation of contracts signed during the previous administration, cognizant of the limitations in the resources available to the government,” it added.
The DND also stressed that it is recalibrating its proposed projects under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program, which is divided into three Horizons.
Horizon 3 is slated from 2023 to 2028; Horizon 1 started in 2013 to 2018 while Horizon 2 is from 2018 to 2022.
Anti-submarine warfare focus
AN example of the Philippine initiative to develop its anti-submarine capabilities is highlighted by the April 27 deck landing of one of its AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) AW1-59 Wildcat anti-submarine helicopter aboard the missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151). The ship was under way off Corregidor Island at the time.
“On the morning of 27 April 2023, the Philippine Navy achieved another significant milestone in its development of anti-submarine warfare capability as the PN AW-159 Mk220 Wildcat helicopter, with tail number NH-441, successfully conducted its first deck landing aboard BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), an ASW (anti-submarine warfare) guided missile frigate, while underway at vicinity 30 nautical miles southwest of Corregidor Island,” a post on the BRP Antonio Luna Facebook page said.
This achievement demonstrates the growing capability and readiness of the Navy’s crews and platforms as a team for ASW operations.
“Both the JRCFs (Jose Rizal Class Frigates) and the PN Wildcats were products of the 1st Horizon Projects under the Revised AFP Modernization Program, which were delivered and commissioned into service in 2020/2021 and 2019, respectively. The JRCFs were built by Hyundai Heavy Industries of South Korea, while the PN Wildcats were built by Leonardo Helicopter Limited UK (LHUK),” the post further said.
The PN’s Wildcat aircrew is still undergoing the contracted in-country training with LHUK, while the JRCFs are being used in the various operational areas of the country.
The AW-159s, of which the PN has two, were acquired to increase the ASW capabilities of the JRCFs.
“The PN through the Naval Air Wing and Offshore Combat Force are taking steps to complete the integration of these game-changer assets in order to be deployed together in securing our maritime domain,” the BRP Antonio Luna said.
These initiatives are deemed a great contribution to fulfilling the Navy’s vision of becoming a modern, multicapable naval force responsive to our maritime nation’s defense and development.
Credible defense posture
DEFENSE experts earlier said that having submarines in its inventory would allow the AFP to achieve a credible defense posture aside from enhancing the PN’s maritime defense capabilities.
They added that acquiring submarines is part of the desired force mix of the PN, which consists of frigates, corvettes, offshore patrol vessels, landing docks, fast attack interdiction craft-missiles or FAIC-Ms, along with multipurpose attack craft (MPACs) and amphibious assault vehicles.
Under this plan, the PN plans to acquire six anti-air frigates, 12 anti-submarine corvettes, and three submarines along with other naval assets.
This force-mix will enable the AFP to achieve a credible defense posture.
Also, the acquisition and development of submarine warfare capability will better equip the Navy to fulfill its primary mandate on territorial defense, security and stability.
“Submarines will enhance our maritime defense capability and can effectively carry out anti-access/area denial, maritime surveillance, maritime interdiction, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The submarine is the most effective ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) platform and the best killing machine in the Navy inventory,” defense experts stressed.
A submarine capability will provide deterrence against aggressors, credibility to the PN, international consideration of the Philippines, and recognition of the AFP from other armed forces.
“Submarines are undetectable and could be anywhere patrolling around the WPS (West Philippine Sea) to act firmly if necessary. Having an operational submarine at sea will be a game-changer for the PN. Contenders will have to take into consideration the probability of facing a submarine at any time, anywhere, without any warning, hence will affect their entire assessment of the tactical situation and their behavior,” they added.
Once acquired, these submarines will be equipped with a large number of weapons.
“It can infiltrate an enemy task force to hunt aircraft carriers and landing docks, and provide decisive superiority with a single lethal hit,” defense experts pointed out.
These same defense experts also opined that the Philippines could have awarded the winning bidders to the PN submarine acquisition program in 2021 if the Covid-19 pandemic did not break out in March 2020.
The timeline for the submarine contract signing would have been in the second quarter of 2021.
However, the pandemic forced the government to devote much of the funding to the Covid-19 pandemic response, forcing a postponement of the program.
The budget for the PN’s submarine acquisition program is estimated at P70 billion to P100 billion.
This includes two submarines and its integrated logistics support package, along with the initial basing requirements.
The French connection
IN a symposium in September last year, the French government said it is open to dialogue with the Philippines when the country is ready to discuss its submarine acquisition program.
“France is obviously committed to working more closely with the Philippines, and have a more strategic relationship with the Philippines so we are ready should the Philippines make a decision. We are ready to work on that perspective with them,” French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz said.
She also confirmed that France was among the countries that submitted a proposal and discussions had been “ongoing” with the Philippines.
“We think it’s really important to be ready. We can provide this collaboration in this very important domain. Our stance is also protecting sovereignty, to defend sovereignty and sovereign rights, which are very important,” the French diplomat stressed.
The Scorpene, which is being constructed by French defense manufacturer Naval Group, is said to be high on the list of preferred submarine platforms of the country and was evaluated by naval and defense officials in 2019.
PBBM’s vow of support
AS this developed, Marcos pledged to support the PN’s modernization of assets and enhancement of defense capabilities.
“Considering the changing tides of our national security, and the significant gains that we have made in terms of internal security, our Armed Forces is working to recalibrate its focus more towards external defense of our borders,” he said in his speech during the PN’s 125th founding anniversary.
“In this crucial transition, full support for the Armed Forces must be guaranteed, especially for the Philippine Navy’s priority goals of enhancing its intelligence, defense and coordinative capabilities,” Marcos said.
The President added he is looking forward to the completion of Horizon 3 of the AFP Modernization Program, which is significantly devoted to the naval aspect of the country’s military operations.
This, as he lauded the PN personnel for their efforts to defend the sovereignty of and maintain peace in the Philippines.
“Our Navy serves not only as valiant guardians of our seas and shores, but peaceful emissaries as well. Highly disciplined and experienced in international engagements, it adheres to the (internationally) recognized codes of conduct, such as the Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the recently approved Asean Guidelines of Maritime Interaction,” the President said.
Image credits: Jelena Okjan | Dreamstime.com, Malacañang Presidential Communications Office via AP
