An In-Depth Look at the Philippine Navy Frigate Program of 2013 (1st of several parts)

The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) released information on the purchase of new frigates after the negotiation for ex-Italian Navy Maestrale-class frigates fell through. Latest announcements place the budget for 2 brand-new ships at Php 18 billion, an increase from the almost Php 12 billion budget for 2 of the ex-Italian ships. (US$1 = Php41.19 as of 2/5/13)

ITS Maestrale (F570), lead ship of the Maestrale-class frigate
(from Wikimedia)

According to news reports, possible sources of the ships are Spain, South Korea, France, Israel, Italy, Australia, the US, Singapore, and Croatia, among others. 

Questions are raised on many Philippine defense blogs & forums: What are we getting? What's the PN requirement for the ships? Is the budget enough? Is the budget too much? 

The 2 new frigates will be the first time the Philippine Navy (PN) will be purchasing brand new major surface combatants in its history. So far all its major combat assets are ex-US Navy/Coast Guard or Royal Navy excess defense articles. This program is a big leap since it would be the first time the PN will get a ship according to their actual requirement, will be brand new and not worn-down refurbished assets, and will be the most expensive defense project for  the Philippine government. It will also upgrade the PN's asset in terms of technological features in all aspects: weapons, sensors, machinery, design, stealth, aviation capability, electrical, safety, comfort, and all others. A big boost indeed for the PN.

Let's look at the budget: Php18 billion is around US$437 million, or US$218.5 million per ship. We compare this cost with the region's other comparable shipbuilding programs:

1. Indonesia's PKR 10514 Sigma-class by Damen Schelde Shipbuilding of the Netherlands and PT PAL of Indonesia: US$220 million for 1 unit (signed June 2012);

Indonesia's PKR Program is based on Damen Schelde's Sigma 10514 design

2. South Korea's FFX-1 Incheon-class by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI): US$232 million for the 1st unit, although HHI contract for the hull only was W140 billion (US$106.5 million) (signed December 2008);

South Korea's Incheon-class coastal frigate will replace the older corvette and frigate classes

3. Thailand's new frigate program based on Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) DW-3000H: B13 billion (US$442 million) for 1 unit;

Thailand's new frigate will be based on Daewoo's DW-3000H design

4. Malaysia's SGPV LCS Gowind-class by DCNS of France and Boustead Heavy Industries of Malaysia: MYR1.5 billion (US$467 million) each (signed December 2011);

A scale model of Malaysia's upcoming SGPV-LCS based on DCNS' Gowind-class combat corvette

It may seem that our budget of US$218.5 million per ship is small even compared to its cheapest equivalent program, the Indonesian PKR 10514 Sigma-class. But is it the case? Let's take a look at what the Philippine Navy's requirements are:

1. Based on their original interest in the Maestrale class, the ship was armed with 4 x long range anti-ship cruise missiles, a 127mm gun, 2 secondary twin 40mm guns, 2 triple lightweight torpedo launchers, an 8-cell anti aircraft missile launcher for medium range AAM, a hull mounted sonar, a separate air seach and surface search radars with corresponding fire control radars, a helipad and hangar for two 5-ton helicopters or one 10-ton helicopter. It is originally designed to be an ASW platform.

2. Previous reported PN/DND announcements require for a ship with at least a 2,000-ton displacement, a length greater than 100 meters, and have anti-ship, anti-aircraft and anti-submarine capability. Very vague if you loom at it, too general.

3. We look at the current Philippine Navy weapons & sensors systems. So far at least 5 of its major warships are armed with the Oto Melara 76mm Compact naval gun. Two frigates are planned to be installed with the Mark 38 Mod.2 Typhoon mount, while three corvettes are currently installed with the MSI Defence DS25 Seahawk mounts. There are no ASM, AAM, and torpedo systems currently being operated. Radar systems are limited to short range navigation/surface surveillance types like AN/SPS-73 and Sperry Marine Bridgemaster series, or civilian-spec Furuno FAR series. No air search or 3d radars available. Sonar systems are also currently not available except for a short-range Wesmar side-scanning sonar on the ex-Cyclone inshore patrol vessel.

The Oto Melara 76mm Compact Naval Gun, being used on Gregorio del Pilar-class & Jacinto-class ships

4. A typical frigate nowadays will have at least a 3D radar for air & surface search, one or two navigational radar which can be redundant surface surveillance radars, associated fire control radar systems, an ESM & ECM system with decoy launchers, a hull-mounted or towed array sonar (or both) for anti-submarine missions, a medium caliber naval gun, secondary guns for close in ranges, an ASM system (at least 8 numbers), a AAM system (either short range for point defense or medium range for area defense), possibly a CIWS system (for shooting down incoming ASM or aircraft), and lightweight torpedoes for ASW.

The Smart-S Mk.2 3D radar
(photo from Thales Nederland website)

With these parameters, it would be safe to assume that the PN is not bounded by supply & maintenance commonality issues for now, and would only be bounded by pricing, political preference, and delivery issues. Basically the requirement is close, if not similar to most frigate programs in the region, although the technology involved might differ depending on the supplier and system integrator.

Let's analyze a possible Philippine frigate:

1. Size: 2,000-ton displacement with a length a little over 100 meters is considered a light frigate, or a heavy corvette. It appears to be smaller than the PN's Gregorio del Pilar-class. A smaller ship means compact weapons systems, a smaller power generation capacity, less crew, less space for complicated machinery, a smaller fuel tank, among others. HHI's Incheon-class, Damen Schelde's PKR Sigma 10514, and DCNS' Gowind Combat Corvette, as well as most offers all fit or surpass the dimensions indicated.

2. Machinery: currently the PN is starting to get comfortable with the CODOG (combination of diesel or gas) configuration, so it is expected that the new frigates may have the same CODOG configuration. To lessen costs, an electric drive system can replace the gas turbine, making the ship a CODOE (combination of diesel or electric) configuration, similar to Indonesia's preference. A range of around 4,000-5,000nmi at cruising speed is standard nowadays for ships of this size.

An example of a CODOG configuration. This exact diagram is used on India's Shivalik-class frigates

3. Sensors: the likelihood of using a 3D multi-beam search radar is high. Most Asian frigate/corvette programs have chosen the Thales Smart-S Mk.2 3D radar, although the EADS TRS-3D or Selex RAN-30X are other possible option. Also, this would be related to the expected upgrade program for the Gregorio del Pilar-class frigates, and whichever comes first, both ship classes may use the same radar. Use of phased-array radar like Thales' I-Mast 400/500 and Heracles, Elta EL/M-2558, CEA Technologies' CEAFAR or other similar types may not be an option due to the limited budget. Fire control radar (FCR) is required, although the quantity may vary depending on the ASM type. Possibly 2 units plus an electro-optical tracking system might be possible. 

4. Sonar: a hull mounted sonar is also expected since towed array sonar may cost more, although if only to choose one, the PN may opt for a towed array sonar and go away without the hull mounted one. Of course having both is better, but may depend on budgetary issues. Most frigate designs on offer to the PN (will be discussed separately) have both the hull mounted and towed array sonars although the final fit-out may depend on the PN's budget.

Product detail for Thales' CAPTAS Towed-array Sonar

5. Weapons: 

    5a.Guns: the PN is already using the Oto Melara 76mm Compact gun, and due to commonality the PN may opt to get the same gun, or the newer Super Rapid version with a higher rate of fire and longer range. The PN may add the Strales system with DART ammunition if funding permits, similar to those installed on the Colombian Navy's Almirante Padilla-class. The ammunition itself may not fall within the frigate's budget but in another funding program. At least 2 secondary close-in guns is possibly required, with the 25mm Mk.38 Mod.2 being the most possible due to its choice for the Gregorio del Pilar class. These can be operated manually or via a remote console in the bridge. At least two 50-caliber machine guns are also expected to be installed, which is a PN staple gun mount.

The Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid with STRALES system

    

     5b. Anti-Ship Missiles (ASM): like the radar system this will depend on what the PN will choose to arm the Gregorio del Pilar-class frigates. The Harpoon is the most likely choice, although if costs are to be considered the cheaper MBDA MM40 Exocet Blk. III might be another possible choice. Other possible choices are the South Korean SSM-700K Haesung or the expensive but modern Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile.

The South Korean made SSM-700K Hae Sung anti-ship missile

  

     5c. Anti-Aircraft Missiles (AAM): this the most complicated weapon system in this program. Our sources indicated that the PN requirement is to have at least a 10km range, and not a MANPAD system. The best option so far is for Raytheon's medium range Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM), which are launcher via VLS launchers. Take note the the Maestrale-class are armed with an older but almost similarly-ranged AAM in the form of Selenia's Aspide (a derivative of the old Sea Sparrow missile). Other options may include the MBDA's VL-Mica, Eurosam's Aster 15, Thales' Crotale, with South Africa's Umkhonto also reportedly being taken consideration. Since these missiles vary on their guidance systems, they are also dependent on the radar and fire control system to be chosen.

Comparison of naval-launched anti-aircraft missiles. The Mica-VL & ESSM are most probable for PN's frigate

          5d. Torpedoes: a lightweight system is very possible, with the possible choices of the American Mark 46, the Eurotorp MU90 Impact, and the Korean K745 LW Blue Shark. There are no indication if a heavyweight type is being considered by the PN.

     

     5e. Close-in Weapons System (CIWS): this is the last priority of the PN, according to our sources due to the cost issues. But being offered are the RAM system (which may double as a short range AAM), the American 20mm Phalanx and the Oerlikon Millennium 35mm. Other models are said to be offered but more information is needed at this point (we'll try to discuss later on).

The Mk. 15 Phalanx 20mm CIWS

So far there are some publicly released reports indicating some of the bidders have already forwarded their proposals. First one reported was Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) of South Korea, which reportedly offered the new Incheon-class frigate. Another South Korean heavyweight, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) was exposed through the Facebook account of the Philippine Navy, wherein the Korean defense attache met with Philippine Navy officials together with DSME representatives. Recently Zambotimes also indicated that Spain's Navantia was offering their frigates and transport ships to the DND & PN. Further discussion about this will be made in a separate post.

Considering the items above, our future frigate looks similar to most light frigate projects in the region. The allocated budget by the Philippine government may not be enough if the PN will maximize its options, although this can be settled by reducing the installed systems upon delivery and just allocating space for future refits. More like "fitted for but not with", which is common nowadays to cash-strapped navies. Even the older Gregorio del Pilar class frigates are capable of firing Harpoon missiles, but are not fitted with due to American austerity measures in the 1990s. 

Another issue that needs to be taken into consideration is how the Philippine government will pay for these ships. It appears that the original budget for the Maestrale-class frigates worth Php 12 billion (around US$ 292 million) will be re-used, and will be added by around US$ 150 million originally allocated for the purchase of 2 refurbished ships (MaxDefense believes it could have either been the Italian Minerva-class or Artigliere-class), which might be coming from the Malampaya Special Account under General Fund 151 (or "Fund 151"). This same Fund 151 was the source of budget to buy the former USCGC Hamilton (now BRP Gregorio del Pilar)

Options can be made to maximize the budget by lowering costs of the project to fit additional or higher performance systems. Options include:

1. Local production of the hull, with the complicated systems imported and installed locally. Some of the bidders actually have local counterparts that may make use of the lower production costs at the same time give our counterparts experience in such work. Negative side might be a longer timeframe  due to less experience by local counterparts. Example is Austal of Australia, they may opt to build the ships in their new Cebu shipyard.

2. Offsetting the costs by counter-trade. This has been done before, with the PAF's Aermacchi S-211 being the most publicized example (I believe you've heard of the ladies underwear stories). Our government will be able to save as well as help local producers and exporters in this manner. 

3. Offsetting by counter-investment. Entities involved may opt to invest in the Philippines, either manufacturing or servicing units, thus returning the costs back to the country in the form of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which the current Aquino administration wanted to increase.

MaxDefense' projected Philippine Navy light frigate may look like this:

- CODOG propulsion using one Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine & 2 diesel engines

- crew of 120-140 plus air component crew, endurance of at least 20 days

- operating range of 5,000nmi at cruising speed

- maximum speed of 29 knots using gas turbine

- Thales Smart-S Mk.2 3D radar with IFF

- 2 x navigational/surface surveillance radars

- 2 x fire control radars

- 1 x electro-optical tracking system

- ESM & ECM systems

- fitted with but not with towed-array sonar

- hull mounted sonar

- 1 x Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid Gun, fitted but not with Strales system

- 2 x Mk. 38 Mod. 2 25mm chain gun system

- 2 x M2HB 50-cal machine guns

- 2 x quad Boeing Harpoon Blk. II SSM

- 1 x 8-cell Sylver A35 VLS for VL-Mica IR SAM

- no CIWS 

- 2 x triple Mk.32 torpedo launchers for Mk.46 Mod.5 torpedoes

- 1 x Super Lynx 300 ASW helicopter (for separate discussion)
- 2 x RHIB

Further discussions regarding the possible offers and other options on the next posts.