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| The FS La Tapageuse (P691) of the French Navy. Photot taken from meretmarine.com. |
The deal was first announced to the public by the PCG in July 9, 2013, as a 52-meter used patrol vessel from an unnamed country. The ship's name and source was later revealed in a TV interview with PCG Spokesperson Cmdr. Armand Balilo.
The PCG will be spending around €6.295 million for the entire ship, including refurbishing works.
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| A limited edition postcard featuring the French patrol vessel FS La Tapageuse (P691) circa 1994. Photo taken from Ebay.com |
The La Tapageuse (P691) is the last of the L' Audacieuse-class patrol vessels built by CMN Shipyard at Cherbourg, France. The class is based on the P400 design from CMN. It was launched in February 1987, and was commissioned to the French Navy on February 1988. It was armed with a 40mm Bofors gun, 2 20mm modele F2 guns, and 2 AA-52 7.62mm machine guns. The class were assigned to patrol the French EEZ, and were pre-positioned in different French Overseas Territories, with the P691 specifically assigned in the French Polynesia. They are currently being replaced by the older but larger D'Estienne d'Orves-class (Aviso) corvettes (removed of their heavy armaments) in that duty. The La Tapageuse was decommissioned on July 30, 2012 after travelling back to France from Papeete, French Polynesia, and other ships of the class are also scheduled for decommissioning soon as more Avisos replace them in patrol duties.
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| The FS La Tapageuse (P691) Photo taken from Wikimedia. |
If the deal pushes through according to schedule, the PCG expects the ship to be delivered by 2014, although it is still unclear if the ship's weapons will be included. It is also unclear yet if there will be additional units from the same class that could be made available for sale to the Philippine government. Even so, the ship will be a big boost to the capability of the PCG as they are now experiencing lack of assets to be effective in their duties. The La Tapageuse is roughly the same size as the PCG's San Juan-class patrol vessels which are considered as one of their largest assets.
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| The FS La Tapageuse (P691) underway. Photo taken from meretmarine.com |
The deal to purchase the La Tapageuse is separate from another plan by the PCG to purchase brand-new French-made patrol vessels, with 4 units of 24-meter patrol boats and 1 unit of 82-meter offshore patrol vessel being negotiated. There is also another deal between the Philippine and Japanese governments for 10 units of 40-meter multi-role patrol boats, with the Philippines asking for 5 of the boats to be built in Philippine shipyards.
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| The route of FS La Tapageuse for its travel between May to June 2012 from Papeete, French Polynesia to Brest, France prior to decommissioning. Photo taken from French Ministry of Defense website. |
To standardize the ship class in PCG service, MaxDefense' opinion is for them to secure the other ships of the class that are in either storage or scheduled for decommissioning soon by the French Navy if funds are still available. This would enable the PCG share commonality of assets for more effective asset management and support. MaxDefense believes that the price asked by the French government for the ship is reasonable, reportedly at €399,000 for the unit, but the cost for refurbishing, upgrade, and installation of PCG-specific items and systems will take up most of the €6.295 million cost.
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| The La Tapageuse upon its arrival in Brest, France on June 2012. Photo taken from Ouest-France website. |
The Philippine government should use this chance to boost the capabilities of the PCG in light of the recent push by the China Coast Guard to send armed patrol vessels in contested areas of the West Philippine Sea. MaxDefense also believes that the PCG should retain the 40mm Bofors gun on the ship, following its peer's decision to deploy armed civilian ships as well.
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UPDATES
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June 23, 2014:
Forgot to update this blog entry. It seems that the PCG has forego the acquisition fo the La Tapageuse (P691) from the French government. According to Navy Recognition, the ship was acquired by Piriou Naval Services, for refurbishing and sale to any interested government. Although the Philippines still has a chance to acquire the ship from Piriou, the chances are now slim. MaxDefense believes it is safe to say that the deal is off now.
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June 25, 2014:
A recent interview of PCG Vice Commandant Rear Admiral Cecil Chen by Defence IQ reiterated the PCG's plan to acquire a pre-owned 54-meter naval vessel from France, which describes the P400-class patrol vessels like the La Tapageuse. No specific vessel was named by the Rear Admiral on the interview. It is possible that other ships of the class will be acquired instead of the La Tapageuse but that remains to be seen. MaxDefense will continue to check if the deal for La Tapageuse remains or not.
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October 31, 2014:
Consider this deal a done one. IHS Janes reported that Gabon has signed up to acquire the ex-French Navy patrol vessel La Tapageuse from French shipbuilder Piriou. Aside from that, the African country is also acquiring a brand new 58-meter patrol vessel from them.
Because of delays by the Philippine Coast Guard to finalize its confirmation to acquire the ship, and due to many issues on the Philippine government's procurement procedures and requirements due to the ship's age and requirement for refurbishing, the PCG was not able to proceed with finalizing the deal, and lost a chance to acquire a ready to use offshore patrol vessel not only once, but twice. The first was when the French government offered it to the PCG and was instead brought in by Piriou, and now when Piriou placed it on sale after being refurbished. Piriou reportedly guarantees the ship to be good enough for another 15 years.
The P400-class are large enough to tackle the conditions of the West Philippine Sea. With the La Tapageuse gone, the PCG or even the PN may stilk have a chance to get one or more from the Fremch if it really wants to. The French Navy is scheduled to decommission its remaining P400-class patrol vessels soon, although leting the La Tapageuse slip away may already mean a lot on how the PCG look at the ship class.
Goodbye ex-La Tapageuse, may you serve the Gabonese Navy well.
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Maybe while your at it, You can ask the French if they can sell you some of the D'Estienne d'Orves-class aviso class or the Cassard-class frigate that France is getting rid of.
ReplyDeleteThe French some of the Avisos before, but the Philippine government didn't bite. So Turkey got them. Disappointing, isn' it?
DeleteDisappointing when ya have the chance to jump on getting some used D'Estienne d'Orves-class aviso class from France. Even France is decommissioning the Cassard-class frigate, maybe the Philippines can jump at the chance of grabbing them. Maybe now the Philippines can wise up and fire those who get in the way of modernization. Maybe at the same time, you can ask France if you can get in on the Gowind Corvette and OPV.
DeleteTurkey is also now planning on letting go of the avisos one by one as their Milgem warships get commissioned so there is another chance to get them subject of course that they are still in good serviceable condition.
DeleteMaybe the PN should have a nice long talk with France and Turkey about acquiring the D'Estienne d'Orves-class aviso. They are perfect for Coastal defense and can travel overseas for operations as well. It's time that the Philippines man up and start talking to those countries about acquiring their excess goods.
DeleteThe City in Azores islands its not called Ponta Del Gada, its Ponta Delgada. try to learn your geography
Deletethe port in the Azores isnt called Ponta Del Gada, its Ponta Delgada...lerns your geography
DeleteIf it’s a reasonable price, there’s 9 more P400 French patrol boat will be available if French Gov't decided to decommission some of them in the near future. The window of opportunity is so wide and now is the time. Wow I love gov’t to gov’t negotiation compare to bidding process. I wish they had the same process to acquire 4 anti submarine corvettes for PN.
ReplyDeleteNes actually France decommissioned 6 of the 10-ship class and one is already with Kenya. I have't checked the disposition of the other 4 decommissioned units while France still has 4 active units that can be secured by the PCG if it have the funds.
DeleteIt is a good buy considering that all P400s had undergone a change in engines to correct the initial ones installed. The French had even considered a version of this craft with MM38 Exocet missiles installed although this was not pushed through...
Deletethe ships weaponry should be included, anyway these are not highly sophisticated system. PCG really needs a boost like PN. They are actually the more important in boarder patrol missions since they are civilian. Imagine if what would happen if PN was involved in the recent conflict with taiwanese fishing boat??? We should have at least 50 units of 50meter class patrol boats for PCG plus the likes of hamilton class cutters for offshore patrols..
ReplyDeleteNext year, hoards of ships are coming for the PCG
DeleteThere was recent post, coming from Israel Defense Ministry - selling huge garage sale of Naval and Air Assets from IDF.
ReplyDeleteYes and the Philippine government was one of those informed early on. The DND already sent a group before to check. To be discussed in a separate blog. It appears that DND "took a serious look" on a few items, mostly for the army.
DeleteI agree that this is a good buy. The ship is actually pretty young for a refurbished ship buy. I also agree that it would be good to purchase multiple ships of this class so that the PCG can quickly get opv's in the water and increase its presence in the areas that China is trying to take over.
ReplyDeleteHaving multiple p400 class vessels would give the Philippines some breathing space to get a quality program off the ground where a quality, modular opv/corvette/light frigate design is built in the Philippines.
The only drawbacks I see to this ship are that it cannot support helicopter operation and that it may not be able to handle very high sea states, but given the current urgency for opv's in the PCG and at this price for a fairly young, refurbished opv, this purchase makes a lot of sense, imo.
Laurence
The helicopter capability can be given to the larger 82 meter ship. If you noticed even most China Coast Guard ships larger than the La Tapaguese don't have helicopter operation capability as well. For now this is enough for giving the PCG additional assets to cover their requirement faster than waiting for new ships.
DeleteI agree that it is a good buy for the here and now.
DeleteAt that price for a refurbished vessel of that age and class, I hope the PCG acquires 2 or 3 more of them.
Do you have any recent info on what class the new, 82 meter OPV will be? Ships like that are definitely also sorely needed by the PCG(and the navy).
Laurence
Hi Max, informative post as always. Do you have any more data on the capabilities of the 10 units that Japan is offering the Phlippines?
ReplyDeleteThe 10 units are normal coast guard patrol boats, probably unarmed when delivered but will be installed with weapons by the PCG themselves. No further details except that they are around 40 meters long. Smaller than the FS La Tapaguese.
DeleteI dont get it. Why Dnd is not interesting at Austal shipbuilding from Cebu?
ReplyDeleteThe new ships to be purchased from France are offsets from a cancelled deal to build Ro-Ro ports from GMA's administration which Pnoy found an unwise investment. While the new Japanese ships are bought using Japanese government loans so it requires our government to buy from Japan.
DeleteHi, on a related PCG purchase that has a budget for 3 straight years (2011-2013) http://s3.zetaboards.com/Defense_Philippines/single/?p=8055192&t=832604 (total of PhP 5,424,486,000 billion), why is the DOTC/PCG so silent about the purchase of these helicopters?
DeleteAny developments regarding the SPYDER acquisition sir?
ReplyDeleteNot really nitpicking, but its Le TapagEUse not Le'TapagUEse. :) ...which is translated in french as 'The Noisy'. The postcard image is a give-away. The correct spelling would matter when doing a usng google/net search engines.
ReplyDeleteWow massive fail on my part hahaha!! Thanks for the correction!
DeleteHi, on a related PCG purchase that has a budget for 3 straight years (2011-2013) http://s3.zetaboards.com/Defense_Philippines/single/?p=8055192&t=832604 (total of PhP 5,424,486,000 billion), why is the DOTC/PCG so silent about the purchase of these helicopters?
ReplyDeleteso what is the new 82 meter vessel?
ReplyDeleteWhy are we buying a recond 155ft french boat for 355mil and shelved the plan to buy the 3rd reconditioned Hamilton for 450mil for the reason that we have to save the money and spend it to arm the first two. So many things I do not understand with how our leaders think.
ReplyDeleteThey were going to buy two refurbished well armed Italian frigates for 11 billion pesos and after about a year of thinking and wondering, they dropped the idea and resorted to buying brand new Korean frigates for 18billion pesos. Will that 18billion include weapons fit? They seem to always not tell and talk about the full story.
I think buying six more refurbished and well armed Hamilton for 600million each is a much much better deal. I don't care and I don't believe what they say about used equipment break down a lot. Then we have enough money to buy factory refurbished F16s, maybe 36 of them.
Here is another one. They are going to buy 12 Korean jets for 37 million dollars a piece...my god this is what a brand new F16 cost to buy. They are bank rolling the idea saying that it is built like the F16...I don't care what they say about what it is able to do...The F16 is way, way better. It is the real deal.
This Korean jets being an unproven fighters is a waste of money for me...Don't buy it!!!!!!!! Buy the F 16s....Don't buy the Korean frigates...Buy the armed Hamiltons. This is best for the taxpayers.
This deal is like the Sokol Helicopters...Back then I knew they are not the helicopters that we want. Now what? Listen to what they say about the big mistake when they bought the Sokol helicopters. Waste of taxpayers money.
Another one is the S211... I would have bought reconditioned T38...
Please do the country a favor...Don't buy the Korean jets. Don't buy the the Korean frigates..Don't buy the French boat... OMG....
1. The funding of PCG and PN are different. The navy may still get a 3rd Hamilton-class ship, if the navy decides to do so or if the national government supports it. The French ship is 21 years younger than the Hamiltons.
Delete2. There is more into the cancelled Maestrale-class purchase. As for the frigates, there is no sure source yet, although there are "speculations" that it would be definitely be awarded to the Koreans.
3. There are some in the navy that still hopes for more Hamilton-class ships. MaxDefense also believes that this is a good deal and should be given a second or third look.
4. Brand new F-16s (Block 50/52) costs above $70M each, or twice that of the FA-50. Besides, the PAF's main reason for buying the FA-50 is for training future MRF pilots while having a minimum air policing capability. The FA-50 can be a temporary MRF, but the real problem is if the government will not support a PAF MRF purchase plan, the PAF will get stuck with the FA-50. In short, the FA-50 is still a good buy for its main purpose. Also, this would be a test to show the US that we are prepared to operate MRF in the near future as the Americans are unwilling to sell or donate F-16s to the PAF because of doubts that the PAF is not worthy for them.
5. The Sokol is not a mistake, although the DND and PAF could have done better by getting something more expensive but more proven models.
6. The S.211's problems are not attributed to the aircraft, but to the PAF's ability to maintain and support them. Singapore also had S.211s are they did not encounter the same problem as what the PAF had.
Max, what you have enumerated proved that there is something very, very wrong and sickening in our AFP procurement system that neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedddddddddsssssssss!!!!!!!!! immediate correction. Our people there have not matured when it comes to the real best interest of our country...They are pitiful. A bunch of amateurs. They are not focus or they don't really want to focus. I'm talking about our decision makers. They are not cutting it. They should involve the interested public in these decision making. For crying out loud, why do they impose so much secrecy in all these transactions. They are not so secret anyway. All the public could do is cry when they found out they screwed up again.
Delete1. They shouldn't buy the French boat for almost 7million Euro..A little more and they can buy another Hamilton. So what if it was built in the sixties. It was totally refurbished in the 90's..Buy one of the Hamiltons and give it to the coast guard. Used oned vs used one I pick the Hamilton. The defense dept have been trumpeting what the Hamilton can do. Endurance,speed, its size, ability to stay at see even at worse sea state. Beats the French boat all the way.
2. Don't buy the Korean frigates. They plan to spend more that 18billion for two of those. They haven't said if that money is only to pay for the hull or includes sensors and weapons fit. Please ask them Max.
They are not very specific about it.
Let's do our arithmetic again.If we bought six more refurbished Hamiltons for 450,000,000 a piece and spend 20million Dollars for weapons and sensors, Harpoons,25mm guns, radars, anti submarine system, anti aircraft. We could have each ship delivered for 30million Dollars or approx equal to 1.3billion pesos. The additional six battle ready Hamiltons can be had for 7.8billion pesos. 7.8 is a lot less than 18plus billion. There is a lot left of the 18plus billion to pay for other acquisitions. And this are six proven ships versus 2 brand new unproven ones. We don't need a rocket scientist to figure this out. If you can talk to them in the defense dept. Please talk to them Max. Don't buy these Korean frigates.
4. Brand news F16s is not 70million or above each. Governments bought them for a lot less. Let's not think of our men in uniform as less able to do the tasks people of other cultures can. You see our pilots flying brand new modern jets laden with hundreds of passengers. That is more challenging than flying the tiny fighter airplane. As a matter of fact modern fighters are equip with so much automation they are very easy to fly. Our pilots can fly anything out there to fly on any kind of missions. They are no less than their foreign counterparts. There is that mindset in our govt that think our pilots can't do it yet.This mindset of defeat already. In the US someone told me that she wouldn't ride a Filipino airlines flown by filipino pilots. I said, when was the last time you heard Philippine Airlines crashed their airplane compared to the airlines here. She frozed couldn't say a thing. Even the higher ups in the US navy couldn't believe how fast those recently trained crew of Gregorio Del Pilar learned how to operate that ship. He was amazed. So let's give our fighting men the best Max. Let's not settle for second best. I already showed you the arithmetic.
Why do I talk this way..? I just feel bad for our country, for our people, for our soldiers who has to go out there to do the fighting if they have to. When they do that they should have leaders that back them up all the way.
Sorry for the rant.
You can call me Ossie
5. Listen to Pinoy's SONA July 23. He said the Sokols are not able to do what it is suppose to do as attack helicopter so now they have converted it to search and rescue. They are going to bid out purchase of 8 attack helicopters pretty soon. Judging to who bought the bid documents, this maybe the real thing. I'm all in on this one.
Delete6. The 36 S211s that they bought are all gone. Maybe a couple left. A few crashed. But I should have bought the Alpha jets or the refurbished T38.
In May 2013 LMT and Iraq signed a deal LMT supplying Iraq 18 F16s for 830Million Dollars. That is about 46 million a copy. Maybe we can do better. Brand new single seats and 8 refurbished 2 seats. These airplanes as good as they are made, will fly on their own so to speak. So easy to fly. Don't believe about the necessary learning curves for pilots to be able to fly this airplane. How about the Iraquis? Where are they sourcing their pilots?
DeleteWow long reply....some of your points are valid but ill try to answer you one at a time.
Delete5. The Sokols are not attack helicopters but are originally meant to fill the combat utility helicopter role. As far as I know the helicopters are still under warranty and the PAF can't replace or reconfigure or even repaint the Sokols yet. But the issue Noy brought out on the SONA can be rectfied by placing the guns on the windows instead of the doors, just like what other Sokol users did. But if I had the chance, I would not have chosen thr Sokol before, I would have picked the more expensive models offered to the PAF, which are more proven. Ill not say exactly what, but there are several in the market. One other point is my dissatisfaction with the current 2-stage bidding process which base the pick according to price and not according to what the services really want. So even if the PAF wanted a specific model, if it losses the bid to another model then it is out.
6. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the S.211. Singapore also bought this and a few crashed, but that does not make the plane a poor one. It is actually part of a wider plan to provide the PAF with a fleet of trainers that should have included an advanced jet trainer, which did not materialize. It should have been a battle between the Hawk, L-39 and MB339 but due to lack of funding the PAF got stuck with the S.211. Add to that poor maintenance record, and lack of support by the government which led to poor S.211 track record. Its not the aircraft but the organization that had problems. Singapore replaced the S.211 due to other reasons and they could easily replace the type since they are funded according to requirement unlike the PAF.
DeleteCompared to the PAF, the Iraqis have experience in operating, maintaining, and flying modern combat aircraft. Their current air force are partially manned by former pre-invasion members. They still have some of the infrastructure, while the PAF only had the 60s era F-5A/B as former aircraft. Besides, the Iraqi government has so much oil money to spend in addition to massive US military and economic aid to Iraq. They can easily transition to F-16s than the PAF. And the latest F-16 purchases are in the level of $70M and above average per unit. Recheck your source for Iraq purchases, and also check the package for Morocco and other new users. Even Indonesia's used F-16 package is already above $30M for Block 30 modified to Block 50.
DeleteOssie, got the figures. The initial 18 F-16IQ ordered by Iraq has was initially quoted at $830 million without engines, radar and several expensive items. If the entire package is summed-up, it costed the Iraqis $1.5 billion for the initial 18 units. But to be fair, initial purchases are always the most expensive one. The follow-up order for 18 F-16s did not cost much, but combined orders will have an average of around $83 million per aircraft. This includes the ILS, contractor logistics support, technical orders and support equipment. Morocco paid $2.4 billion for 24 fighters, an average of $100 million per plane. Compare that to the less than $35 million per FA-50 for the PAF.
DeleteSearch LMT news f16 and find the one in May 2013 that says LMT and Iraq signed a deal for 18 f16s for $830 million dollars. I think what it says says it all. The airplane is ready to fly.
DeleteWe don't go to a car dealership and be told the car is priced 20K except it does not include the engine and the battery and etc, etc. LOL..... Ossie
Ossie here again Max...
DeleteOur govt can rectify the shortcomings that they have found on the Sokol by getting a sharp "abre lata" and use it to make the windows larger for the nice fit of the machine gun....L O L...
What I am saying is this...
Character and conduct are contagious. The citizenry become motivated and fired up when they see leaders in govt doing the right thing.
Just think about the excitement of our people when we get the delivery of the Hamilton. Most of our people greet it with exhuberance. You can feel the country's nerve vibrate with hope and excitement. You hear most our people's self confidence come to life. We are not hopeless. We will be able to fight if we have to and win..that is the word able to fight and win. But it doesn't do well for our people to see our leaders blowing hot and cold. We're gonna do this and then later, oh no we're not gonna do that. We're gonna this one instead. And later the result is less than satisfactory. So much have been wasted already. This actions cause our people esp soldiers develop attitude of not trusting their leaders in govt. All our people talk about is how corrupt our leaders are. How hopeless life is in the Philippines. Pathetic leaders, that is what we have had for a long, long time. Let's get the best for our soldiers so they can fight and fight to win. As a nation often we are faced with a situation where we have to choose from life of freedom or life of subservience. The first one cost a lot of money. It is not cheap.
Sokols are piece of craps.... the armed forces are on a buying spree even stuff that they don't need...for external defense, why are we buying so many helicopters... they can be easily shot down by missile-firing warships... F16s are pieces of craps as well... too costly and hard to maintain.. they could've given the philippines long time ago if they wanted to.. i believe they don't///
ReplyDeleteSokols are not piece of crap. They are good machines, but there are just better machines that cost more. The AFP is in a dilemma that it needs to replace a lot of its assets all at the same time, so it needs to buy helicopters as well. F-16s, when upgraded and flown by well trained pilots, can be better than Chinese Sukhois. It all goes down to the pilot, so the PAF must give importance to training and experience to compensate the F-16's shortcomings.
Deletei agree with the post above, better get tried and tested equipment rather than brand new but untested ones... but the number one thing the Philippines has to develop is its own shipbuilding and arms manufacturing industries. No country can truly defend itself continuously if it has to rely always on outside purchases.
ReplyDeleteTHERE ARE SO MUCH IDEA TO TALK, ARGUE OR DISCUSS WHICH IS BETTER FOR THE PHILIPPINES BUT DON'T YOU EVER THINK OF TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY . FROM THERE WITH OUR CREATIVITY AND FILIPINO INNOVATIVE IDEA WE CAN BUILD OUR OWN SHIP, AIRCRAFT AND OTHER WEAPONRY.
ReplyDeleteActually simple patrol vessels can be built in the Philippines using local design. The thing is, the reason of buying this French ship is because the ship can be available as early as 2nd quarter of 2014, and was cheaply sold to the Philippine government @ 300k Euros, and will only need refurbishing (which will cost almost 6 million euros). As for the 10 new Japanese-sourced ships, the Philippine government is required to get Japanese ships as this is under Japanese Official Development Assistance. For the 5 new French ships, the payment is part of a French-funded loan, so it is also required to be French-sourced. If the Philippines can buy new ships using local funding, then there's no stopping them to buy Philippine-made ships.
DeleteIn addition, the Japanese-sourced ships MAY include an agreement to have 5 of the ships built in Philippine shipyards to help the local shipbuilding industry. No confirmation though if Japan approved the Philippine government's request.
DeleteI read in the news somewhere that the five ships that Japan is proposing to build here in the Philippines, the PCG want them all built in Japan.
DeleteSorry, there goes that mentality again.
Yeah, that's what I read in the news too. Japan is the one proposing to build 5 in the Philippines. But PCG do not want the idea. They want all to be made in Japan. That seems were they are negotiating now. To force Japan into agreement to build ALL 10 boats.
DeleteDifferent mentality I guess with what I heard for PN 2 brandnew frigates which they want to be built in Philippine shipyard. I just hope it's true.
As for the PCG, I hope they realize the urgency of Philippines acquiring the experience in Patrol boat building. Because it would help our local economy, it would help create jobs, it would acquire for us experience in these field... Then later on we can on our own start little by little to build (or/and design) our own PCG ship.
They maybe someday our own warships.
-captdiegogarcia
Hmm... isn't it the other way around? I haven't seen any news saying the PH want them built in Japan.
DeleteMax wonder if this has electro optic fire control for it guns if not it is forr day time patrol only what a waste.
ReplyDeleteNone. All its weapons are manually operated. But it can be modified later on if the PCG decides to.
DeleteWe need bigger boats, here's my personal list:
ReplyDeleteAt least 4 anti submarine ships.
At least 10 Frigates capable of launching guided missiles with good anti air defense system.
At least 5 submarines.
We are surrounded by waters, and it is best if we have better security having these war ships not to be aggressive, but to be vigilant against bullies.
i like that kind of idea. but the problems is the resources i mean the money.
DeleteBUT i hope our government will also look at developing our own ships, jets, and submarines. We have a world class workers. If the government can facilitate this well, we can even be the one selling ships, jets and subs at the same time while making our country more secure.
ReplyDeleteI guess no one could argue we the manpower. But the biggest thing lacking in us is the technology. That's R&D which Philippine gov't lacks. We have UP ASTI/DOST but what can it do? Yes it produces imaginative and clever stuff but still on a very third world technology. They hadn't gone far into computerization.
DeleteYou see the UP monorail? That becomes a duo-rail, that becomes an elevated bus system? The technology is SO CRUDE in terms of world standard. Even Pnoy is not happy after his first try.
TO build a ship, you just don't need manpower. You also need the skilled designer, the scientist and engineer that would create breakthroughs. But sadly these Filipinos are all working abroad as OFWs.
-captdiegogarcia
I agree. But time will go by if we are persistent and keep on trying we will eventually get there. what we need and should be demanded by the government is to produce more engineers and not nurses, commerce, caregivers, maids, etc.
DeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteGood day to all,
Is there somebody who have a complete and detailed shopping list of the Philippine Military? I wan to know. Pls. anyone? You can send me it in my gmail account. kriegzmarine@gmail.com. Thanks in advance!
@TheKriegzmarine, hope your not Chinese.
Delete-captdiegogarcia
If you research on the net, you could find what you're looking for. Besides, there's no fix shopping list.
DeleteHi, Max.
ReplyDeletei read in the some blogs and websites, that US will also retire some Perry Class frigates next year. Also Taiwan is replacing 2 of their Knox class with second hand Perry class at $20M. If its the same or lower price than Hamilton Class, we can acquire some of the Knox class from Taiwan to immediately meet our urgent requirements. It younger and better equipped than Hamilton Class. Maybe they will not strip down its weapon system like US did. Anyway, our relationship with Taiwan is now going back to normal. Of course, these will definitely flare up China...
These Knox-class ships are not in very good condition anymore, that's why Taiwan is retiring them. In Taiwan's case, they maximize the use of weapon platforms because they have difficulty obtaining them. If they are still in good condition, chances are they won't retire them.
DeleteHi, on a related PCG purchase
ReplyDeletethat has a budget for 3 straight
years (2011-2013) http://
s3.zetaboards.com/
Defense_Philippines/single/?
p=8055192&t=832604 (total of
PhP 5,424,486,000 billion), why
is the DOTC/PCG so silent about
the purchase of these
helicopters?
Hi Max,
ReplyDeleteAny updates on this procurement? Its already half of 2014. Did it push thru or dead.
Updated this blog entry. Please see above.
DeleteIt's unfortunate that dotc's mind set is not as strategic as dnd's. It is more unfortunate dotc cannot make a quick decision on the rehabilitation of the MRT and in so many PPP projects what more with this. The tandem of abaya and roxas is so engaged in politics that is why you have these kind of results and missed opportunities. It is a regime of iwas pusoy and analysis, paralysis. If i were Pnoy I would restructure the pnp and pcg and place them under a homeland security type of organization.
ReplyDeleteFreddie