The Philippine Navy’s (PN) two Jose Rizal-class missile frigates are now capable of evading and dodging hostile torpedoes after the successful installation of “anti-torpedo reaction module” in the two ships last August 31.
These defensive systems were installed by French defense manufacturer Naval Group to the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) last August 31.
“On 31 August 2023, Naval Group’s CONTRALTO® anti-torpedo reaction module was successfully installed into the C-Guard decoy launching system of the PN’s two Jose Rizal-class frigates. This important milestone is part of the contract signed in December 2021 to provide anti-torpedo defence system based on Naval Group’s CANTO®/CONTRALTO® solutions,” Naval Group said in a statement Wednesday, September 6.
CANTO® is the latest countermeasure generation in the defense industry.
This breakthrough in the field of anti-torpedo defense applies a unique concept to defend the frigate.
It is based on the dilution/confusion concept to defend high value and mission essential units by generating a high level acoustic signal over 360-degree, covering the full frequency range of the attacking torpedo.
This anti-torpedo system is fitted with its associated reaction module CONTRALTO®, which computes the most appropriate evasive maneuver and deployment sequence once a threat is detected.
“The setting to work and testing of CONTRALTO® were performed at Subic-Agila Bay in the Philippines on August 31, 2023 in the presence of representatives from the PN, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Ministry of Defense and industrials responsible for anti-submarine warfare [ASW] systems,” Naval Group noted.
The commissioning of the ASW and CONTRALTO® anti-torpedo reaction modules completes the armament of the two Jose Rizal-class frigates.
The successful installation of CONTRALTO® was carried out after an upgrade of the combat management system supplied by Hanwha Systems and of the C-Guard decoy launcher systems supplied by Terma.
“The next contractual milestone is planned in 2024 with the delivery of CANTO® anti-torpedo countermeasures and the training of the crews by Naval Group,” it added.
