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| The BRP Ramon Alcaraz in Cebu. For those with very good eyesight, the Mk. 38 Mod. 2 gun platform on the port side can be seen on this angle. It is just behind the red-colored RHIB. Photo taken from Cebu Daily News / Inquirer.net |
Since the report regarding the acquisition of this gun system involves only for 2 units, it was even anticipated that the PN would either arm one gun system each to the BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15) and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, or only 1 of the ships will have both guns. Previous statements coming from Navy officials even pointed out that the older Gregorio del Pilar was the chosen ship to get both guns, without mention if the Ramon Alcaraz will also be getting as well.
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| The actual Mk.38 Mod.2 gun on BRP Ramon Alcaraz. This looks like on the starboard side. Photo taken from Geminirecon @ Timawa Forum. |
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| The port side of the ship also shows the presence of the Mk.38 Mod.2 weapons mount. Thanks to one of our MaxDefense reader who wants to remain anonymous, who went inside the ship and took some photos. |
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| Rear photo of the gun showing the ammunition loading system. Photo shared by a MaxDefense reader. |
But here we now have some evidence that the BRP Ramon Alcaraz was indeed fitted with the guns. Several online social media sources, including those from MaxDefense readers who shared their photos confirming that there are indeed 2 guns in the said ship, both fitted on the midship port and starboard deck sides. The ships was available for viewing to the public as it was docked in Cebu after providing naval and air security during Pope Francis' visit in Tacloban City last week.
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| An Mk. 38 Mod.2 weapons system installed on a US Navy vessel. Photo taken from Wikimedia, |
It is worth noting that aside from the Oto Melara 76mm Compact main gun, the PF-16 has no other weapons before the installation of the 25mm chain guns other than several 50-caliber machine guns. Meanwhile its sistership PF-15 has two 20mm gun at the superstructure midships and a manually-operated Mk.38 Mod.0 chain gun at the ship's tail end.
The BAE-Rafael Mark 38 Mod. 2 Close-in Weapons System:
For the uninitiated, the Mk. 38 Mod. 2 gun system is a remote manually controlled 25mm gun station commonly found on US Navy ships. Produced by BAE Systems and Rafael and of Israel, two units were ordered as part of a larger order made by the US Navy. This is the newer and remote-control capable version of the Mk. 38 Mod. 0 gun system which is used by the Philippine Navy on several of its Andrada-class patrol boats, the Cyclone-class BRP Gen. Mariano Alvarez, and the secondary gun mounted on the aft of the PF-15. It uses a 25mm Bushmaster M242 chain gun and was designed to protect the ship at close range from small fast surface and slow aerial threats. US Coast Guard personnel were reportedly part of the installation team as the PN doesn't have the adequate experience to do the job on their own. For further information, MaxDefense recommends the manufacturer's website (link HERE).
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| A closer look of the PN's new Mk.38 Mod.2 gun mounted on the BRP Ramon Alcaraz. Thumbs up to the PN and to our friend who went there and share these photos to us. |
Each of the gun mount has its own EO system that allows the gun to be used on day & night and all weather conditions. Controls of the gun is done on a console with its own video feed screen, and the gun is trainable by joysticks.
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| An example of what the Mk.38 Mod.2 control console looks like. |
Aside from the Mk. 38 Mod. 2, the other remote-operated close-in weapons system the Philippine Navy currently uses is the MSI 25mm Seahawk mounted on the Jacinto-class patrol corvettes, which also uses the same 25mm M242 Bushmaster gun.
With the entry of this system into the Philippine Navy, it is expected that the same system might be acquired to arm several types of upcoming ships, including the Strategic Sealift Vessel which has already started construction and requires at least 2 mounts per ship, and the new light frigates which are being tendered.
Other Interesting Finds on the Ship:
Aside from the installed guns, there are other points of interest that MaxDefense wants to share here:
A photo of the display console of the ship's Kelvin Hughes MantaDigital surface search and navigation radar system was also made available again. Until more capable radar systems become available for the ship, this would remain as the main eyes of the ship.
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| A PN crew member discuss the use of the surface radar display console to the visitors. Photo shared by one of our MaxDefense readers who wants to remain anonymous. |
Another interesting photo involves the shipboard AW-109 naval helicopter. It appears to be a normal now to see the helicopters paired together with the frigates. It may also be interesting to take note on how the aircraft is restrained on the flight deck when not in use.
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| The AgustaWestland AW-109 Power naval helicopter on the ship's flight deck. Photo shared by one of MaxDefense's readers. |
Finally, although already confirmed before, the Philippine Navy has changed the Philippine Fleet's sub-unit's name where the frigates are assigned under their recently made restructuring program based on capability. Previously known as Patrol Force, it is now known as the Offshore Combat Force, in anticipation of the greater role the unit will undertake in the near future as more assets arrive. Its logo can been seen on the PF-16's superstructure near the Mk.38 Mod.2 guns. The other Philippine Fleet units that were also renamed as the Littoral Combat Force (formerly the Coastal Patrol Force), and the Sealift & Amphibious Force(formerly the Service Force).
With the BRP Ramon Alcaraz having its close-in gun systems, we now wait for its sistership BRP Gregorio del Pilar to have a similar weapons system, as well as for the 2 ships to get their highly-anticipated long-range surface and air search radar systems, and the defense/offensive missile systems as discussed in previous MaxDefense blog entries. With the year 2015 still in its infancy, expect more news on the upgrade of the 2 ships, especially with the impending awarding of the PN's new frigates coming very soon.
you see how pro active is our President Pnoy, Sec Gazmin and the rest of AFP.. Congrats to all of you. Just showing that your love your country protecting from external and internal threat. Hope to discuss a new topic Sir max regarding APC and main battle tanks and more and more people want to know the plan of our Government to procure such military hardware like this base on blog and comment of the entire Philippine Military discussion. Lem1
ReplyDeleteSir Max good news po ito....we hope the new sensors and missile system will come soon. I know it's classified to date the process of acquiring this weapons but sana this year mayroon nang development.
ReplyDeleteWasnt that area meant for the torpedos?
ReplyDeleteWaiting in vain for the missile..........
ReplyDeleteSir Max question lang, have the Philippine government requested the us government (US Congress) to install missile systems and other offensive weapons to our GDP class frigates? Without approval per FMS we can't install these weapons and sensors even we acquire it for that purpose.... Tanong lang po.
ReplyDeleteSir max any clue to which brand of missile system to be use? Renbios
ReplyDeleteRenbios, there's no decision yet. But it woyld probably be i the same category as the Harpoon and Exocet.
DeleteThis is a good development for the GDP class frigates of the PN. In the future, the Mk 38 Mod 2 can hopefully be upgraded to Tactical Laser as being developed by BAE and Rafael.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gizmag.com/mk-38-mod-2-tactical-laser-system/19346/
I hope the next armaments that our government will install on our GDP-Class frigates are the Mark 32 Torpedo launching system for anti-submarine & Mk22 missile launcher which supports RIM-24 Tartar, RIM-66 Standard MR and RGM-84 Harpoon missiles for anti-air and anti-ship defense or whichever launch systems are better and within our defense budget. Are they affordable & can be fitted in our present or future Frigates. What do you think Sir Max...
ReplyDeletei don't see the point of using the out-dated as hell Mk.22 launcher for the Harpoon missile. nowadays, the Harpoons come in Mk.141 quad-pack canister launchers.
Deletereally? RIM-24 Tartars? that's like 60's missile tech.
Th bottom-line is the budget if our government can afford the more modern and advance missile & torpedo systems. Even if it's outdated but meets the minimum requirements of the PN at an affordable cost and in bigger quantities, that will do. Just like why the PN buy a Gun-type CIWS if the Missile & Laser types CIWS are better but they all do the same functions.
Deleteno one in the world uses Mk.22 launchers anymore for a bloody reason. jesus.
DeleteSir Max, I've read in on of your write-ups, the PN is highly considering French missile systems. To add to that, we're getting a Pohang with MM38s.
ReplyDeleteIMHO, we're going to eventually end up with the Exocets.
If the WHECS would be on the same sub-names (Offshore Combat Fore) as the new frigates, I think we're going to see the same weapons on these 4 ships. Maybe all of them would get MM40s.
But if they won't be, my question sir Max is this -- in a money pinching move, would it be feasible if we get MM40s for the Hamilton's, and possible additional Pohangs and then MM40 Blk 3 for the new frigates and every large combat ship after those?
Likewise acquiring Mistrals for the WHECS/Pohangs while the new frigates get Micas?
I would think the PN views the upcoming frigates to be more capable than the WHECS/Pohangs, our most capable (not to mention most expensive) ships should be more survivable, and ultimately, should have the best firepower available.
- Neo
the MM40 Block 3 Exocets sound like a far-better option than the RGM-84 Harpoons.
DeleteThe Exocet block 3 is a great missile. But it is much better if we would consider new missiles like the Naval Strike Missile By Kongsberg or RBS 15 by SAAB. NSM has a range of 185 km and RBS 15 has 250 km range. Exocet was first produced 1974.
DeleteI'm in favor of the NSM or the RBS 15, but the only info I seem to have right now is sir Max's blog entry a few weeks/months back that the PN is strongly looking at French missile systems, so based on this info alone, I'm guessing our AShm would be the Exocet. The only question in my mind is if the PN decides to go with the MM40 or the MM40 blk 3.
DeleteObvioulsy I would want MM40 blk 3, but a combination of MM40s for older ships and MM40 blk 3 for the newer ones would make me happy.
- Neo
sir max, i'm from cebu nakita ko po ang BRP ALCARAZ dito i think late dec. or early jan. 1week ata nka dock sa SRP (south road property) baka dito nila ininstall ang weapon na yan.
ReplyDeletegreat news max! at kailan daw iinstall ng navy ang 2x4 harpoon or exocet missiles at 2x3 lightweight torpedoes? yun kc ang pinakaimportanteng armaments ng warships, kung wlang plan ang navy n lagyan ng missiles at torpedoes, I still consider Alcaraz as a "long ranged patrol boat" only and not a warship. and i also think modifications of existing ship because of upgrading weapons, radar systems and battle station are much more expensive along its maintenance cost, the same as buying brand new warships with complete setup of armaments. but still I content with Alcaraz, its better have than nothing. but the navy must upgrade Alcaraz into full blown warship.
ReplyDeleteHarpoon? Exocet? Most important armaments? I think not. Right now those two GDP class ships are just shitting ducks to the chinese navy. I prefer Close-in weapons system like the Phalanx, Goal keeper, Dardo. Or RIM 116 or Mistral. Right now ASM are not important.
Deleterealy? CIWS like phalanx Gatling Gun and rolling airframe RIM 116 Anti-Aircraft Missiles are only defense systems of the ships, they are not the main armaments, they cant kill a ships or submarines. even though you have defensive CIWS and not have the Offensive Armaments, you are also still sitting ducks because you cant kill the enemy ships or submarines. i prepare them both be install in Alcaraz, but we cant install the rolling airframe RIM 116 Anti-Aircraft Missiles because we have no space left in Alcaraz, we can only install the phalanx and Mistral Sadral Anti-Aircraft Missile, but before we install the CIWS secondary armament, we must first install the main armaments like Anti-Ship Missiles and lightweight torpedoes.
DeleteSir Max
ReplyDeleteIs there a possibilities of a third hamilton cutter transfer for the philippine navy? can this be done within aquino admintration?
thank you sir
Good News and congrats sa ating PN force!!!
ReplyDeleteWhile two thumbs up to PN and to PNOY i suggest to speed up every modernization program for our AFP.. please pour all your effort into this.. nakakapang hina kasing isipin na sa kakaunting progress natin sa modernization i yong china meron ng napakagandang villa and bunker sa ating mga isla..... sorry but its sooooo offset lang!
mcpadz
IMO, Hamilton cutters is a gold find for our navy. We should secure more from the US Coast Guard
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to the PN interest to buy M/V Sutsina for less than $12.3 million only (or maybe $8 million).This $78 million Ro/Ro Landing E-Craft can transition from a shallow water barge to a high-speed ice-breaking twin-hulled catamaran (SWATH). It has a capacity of carrying 129 soldiers and 20 Amphibious Assault Vehicles. It can be used as a commercial ferry boat between Batangas Pier & Calapan during peak seasons, be used as an assault ship for beach landing and ramming Chinese maritime ships and fishing boats and for HADR Search & Rescue missions.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11813724/mat-su-says-not-to-blame-balks-at-12m-ferry-fta-grant-payback-demand
By installing 4 heavy machine guns and 2 CIWS on the M/V Sutsina, the PCG can use this as Patrol Ship in any of our reefs and shoals at Spratly Islands or use it as replacement to the BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal so our marines stationed there will have a better living condition.
DeleteSalutations for our Navy and the current Government Political Will to modernize our Armed Forces. I just hope more good news for our country in the future. I suggest we add one more Hamilton class to make it three as we once have three Cannon class, three Peacock class ships.
ReplyDeleteDahil sa madugong sinapit ng PNP SAF sa Maguindanao, dapat magfocus na tayo sa pagpalakas ng ground troops. More howitzers, tanks, ifv, mortars, rpg and machine gun.
ReplyDeletePinagtataka ko lang, may operation palang ganito. Bakit wlang naka abang na Artillery and Air Support. I smell bad planning. .
Deletethat's already an on-going program. and the results are already everywhere.
Deletebut that doesn't mean we have to lose focus on external defense.
Ang dapat gawin ni Pnoy ay ibasura na niya ang Bangsamoro Basic Law at lusubin na yang mga hinayupak na mga muslim rebels at mga komunista. Pulbusin silang lahat in an all-out-war hanggang sa walang matira sa kanila.
DeleteI suspect the PN is only interested if they can get the ship for free and not if they have to pay for it.
ReplyDeleteA look at Max's own article should tell you that the BRP Tagbanua has almost the same capacity and yet costs the Philippines much less plus it's locally made. Sure, MV Sutsina can go fast 23 knots instead of 16 knots, but that doesn't justify double the cost. Sure, it has an icebreaker and some people has fantasies of ramming tactics, but that's not worth the $8 million dollar difference. Yes, it can be used as a commercial ferry, but so what? The PN is not a commercial ferry operator.
If the PN has $5 million to spend and needs LCU ships, they should get more Tagbanua class ships. MV Sutsina will only make sense if its total cost is much less than $5 million. And I mean total. None of this "the ship's free but you need to spend $6 million extra for repairs".
M/V Sutsina is no ordinary Landing Craft like the BRP Tagbanua. This is one-of-a-kind multi-task vessel whose actual cost is bet. $78M-$80M and being sold for only bet. $6M-$12.3M. You are like comparing a low-cost FA-50 LIFT Fighter to a high-tech F-15 Eagle MRF. Even if you manufacture M/V Sutsina by a local Phil. company from it's specifications, I don't think you can build it even at half the price of $80M.
DeleteA third Hamilton is already in the pipeline but I don't think the transfer to DND/PN will happen this year as there is no USCG Hamilton that is set to decom in 2014. USCG Rush will be transferred to Bangladesh Navy soon.... I fully agree that we should get more Hamilton from USCG, if possible we should get the remaining cutters that will be decommissioned in the next three year.
ReplyDeleteAllan
Another USCG is set to be decommissioned by 3rd to 4th quarter of 2015 probably USCG MUNRO.Although this might be possibe for decom, the PN must be aggressive to have all of the remaining whecs coz it will take 4 yrs to have the new frigate due to a very slow pace of bidding process. Estimate to have the awarding and signing of new frigate is around 2nd qtr of 2015. This is due to unresolved armaments specification that will be installed
DeleteHi Max, we have not heard any news regarding the Pohang Corvette that is supposed to be transferred to PN this year. Have you got update here? There's another Pohang that was rejected by Columbia Navy, is there any plan to get this vessel as well? Or the decision will all be dependent on the outcome of the 2 Frigates bidding? I would really appreciate your inputs here.
ReplyDeleteAllan
I think PN is waiting for the outcome ng bidding. For the frigates first before madagdagan ang arnaments nito
ReplyDeleteKasi makakamura tayo kung madami ang bilihan kaysa sa patingi-tngi..
May I digress a bit. There will never be peace in mindanao even with the passing of the law. Its a gun culture country and greed that drives everything. An autonomous region's fund will be used to buy more arms to kill our soldiers and policemen. Poverty will not be addressed. We should learn from the mnlf and ampatuan experiences. Haven't we learned Enough?
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you sir.
DeleteI've been a Pnoy supporter because of what he has been doing with the Modernization of the AFP.
BUT this time, I am against him. I just can't believe anyone with a half functioning brain would still go through the peace process after what has happened.
Those bandits do not want peace. Once they establish a sub-state, there's no reason to believe they would stop there. These a-holes would only be using tax payer's money to get more weapons, possibly even vehicles and aircraft. In the end, they would want to be acknowledged as a separate country and a bloodier war would ensue.
Backoff Pnoy before it's too late.
- Neo
Ang dapat gawin dito sa mga muslim at communist rebels at terrorists ay sunugin ng buhay ng mabayaran nila ang mga kasalaman nila sa pagkamatay ng libo-libong mga inosenteng mamamayan natin. Dapat yata sila muna ang unahing ubusin para magkaruon na ng katahimikan ang buong bansa.
Deletefirst itong si Pnoy ay naglalaro s laro ng mga kaaway, kc ang style o plan ng mga Muslims separaties ay di agad agad hihiwalay s government ntin, kundi paunti-unti, like ng ginagawa nila noon at ngyn, paisa isa ay may ipapa-pasa silang laws n advantages para s knila, start s maliit like freedom of their religion, building more mosque, halal foods, muslims officials in the cabinets or in military, and now sharia law in mindanao for so called peaceful purposes, but its not gonna ends there, the last is the Islamic state of mindanao, thats the whole plan of the Islamist. if our politicians knows a little bit about the quran, they will know n ang mga muslims ay syang dapat magrule s mga christians at mga unbelievers at hindi other way around, that is why muslims are always fighting us because its a insult to them to rule them. their law (Sharia law) must be supreme, and thats their ideology. inorder to contain it, dapat idemilitarize ang mga muslims in mindanao, all of them must not have weapons. you know our government are double standards, they dont want us to have our guns and they will prisons us if we have, but when it comes to mindanao and muslims its ok. that is why our govenment needs to acts what their suppose to do, storm the enemies if they dont give up their guns, dont negotiate to the terrorist and dont bow to their demands.
Deletealso these islamist are double standards, y? if you go to islamic countries like saudi arabia, pakistan, afganistan etc. ruled by strick sharia law, guess what u cant talk about ur freedom of speech, build a church, rally on the streets etc. and u must totally comply to the sharia laws, ex. are dont say about bad about their religion because of blasphemy laws, and complaining their laws with punishable of prisonment and lashes, and etc. and now the muslims in the philippines are using our democracy againts us to establish their sharia laws in mindanao and build their islamic state which is not part of philippines. and once their sharia laws is establish, our christian minorities freedom will be gone, and the worse all muslims they can have weapons, as a start of their military islamic state. muslims always says, if we starts war with them, other islamic countries will join them, so islamist in our backyard are not only a threat, but we have also malaysia ang indonesia at the bottom that are threats in the future. im not saying all muslims are terrorist or bad. like other people once the patriotism is triggered, u have a serious and dedicated people will to die for their country, the same also on muslims, their alliegions and loyalty are in their book, their beliefs and their sharia laws. islam is a totalitarian ideology like the communist. we must prepare always for the coming battle in the future, and strengthens our military while we can.
DeleteDont worry that dream by Muslims cant be realized because 80% of the populace in Mindanao are Christians. If they pursue this dream the war will continue to rage until the next centu. ry. The worst nightmare of these Muslim secessionists is when Christian militias join the fray. At present they are only facing the military but if the christian militias enter into the scene, it will be a totally different ballgame. Muslim rebels may have to flee to Sabah to stay alive
DeleteWow big time, 25mm. Pathetic navy fighting as if we have all the money and time in the world while the seagrabbing Chinese literally cement their control of the WPS. Still aping the colonizing US. Wake up and fight like how Filipinos should fight. Wise, ingenious, low cost and effective.
ReplyDeleteyeah sure. any recommendations, champ? you seem "well versed" with this kind of shit.
Deletewell?
OT:
ReplyDeletehttp://english.chinamil.com.cn/news-channels/china-military-news/2015-01/20/content_6315761.htm
So Australia is helping us.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2015/01/29/7872-australian-government-donating-two-landing-craft-heavy-vessels-to-phl-navy
Already discussed in MaxDefense Facebook page.
DeleteI think the PN is buying 3 more of these..
DeleteWe cannot blame the Government of what happened to our gallant cops. MILF is a pure traitor. Did you know that civilians informed the MILF that the ground troop is in their area operating to locate the Malaysian terrorist. I don’t like this MILF. BBL must be abolish. They can’t be trusted. Never be trusted. To President Pnoy you did what is right. Traitor can kill millions of lives.
ReplyDeleteDapat yata sa gobyerno natin ay palitan na si Pnoy pansamanta ng isang military junta na ang layunin ay bigyan ng unang priority na palakasin ang kakayahan ng AFP, tuluyan nang ubusin ang mga rebeldeng muslims at mga komunista, bawiin ang Sabah sa Malaysia at sipain ang mga tsekwa sa Spratly Islands bago bumalik sa isang elected, democratic government. Kalokohan ang saradong iniisip ni Pnoy na mare-resolba ang problema sa Abu Sayyaf,Jemah Islamiya, Al Qaeda, BIFF, MILF, MNLF, NPA, etc. through peaceful dialogue at Bangsamoro Basic Law. Lalo lang silang dumarami at lumalakas dahil sa katangahan ng mga advisers ni Pnoy.
ReplyDeletesir nasa cebu pa po ba ito?o naka.alis na?panu po ba makapasok sa loob?
ReplyDeletealso these islamist are double standards, y? if you go to islamic countries like saudi arabia, pakistan, afganistan etc. ruled by strick sharia law, guess what u cant talk about ur freedom of speech, build a church, rally on the streets etc. and u must totally comply to the sharia laws, ex. are dont say about bad about their religion because of blasphemy laws, and complaining their laws with punishable of prisonment and lashes, and etc. and now the muslims in the philippines are using our democracy againts us to establish their sharia laws in mindanao and build their islamic state which is not part of philippines. and once their sharia laws is establish, our christian minorities freedom will be gone, and the worse all muslims they can have weapons, as a start of their military islamic state. muslims always says, if we starts war with them, other islamic countries will join them, so islamist in our backyard are not only a threat, but we have also malaysia ang indonesia at the bottom that are threats in the future. im not saying all muslims are terrorist or bad. like other people once the patriotism is triggered, u have a serious and dedicated people will to die for their country, the same also on muslims, their alliegions and loyalty are in their book, their beliefs and their sharia laws. islam is a totalitarian ideology like the communist. we must prepare always for the coming battle in the future, and strengthens our military while we can.
ReplyDeletekung may konting alam lang ang mga pulitiko ntin s history ng islam at s quran, wlang so called "peace" s islam, peace in islam means only a "ceasefire agreement" it also means "panahon ng pagpapalakas", kya mas mrami ng islamist militant ngyn kompara noon nung gera ni erap. kya hanggang nanjan ang so called "peace agreement" ng government at terrorists, lalo lng lalakas ang mga kalaban, its means mas lalong lalaki ang casualties in the future. kaya kailangan habang hindi p gaanong malakas ang mga terrorists at lusubin at ubusin n yan, at gawing totally demilitarize ang Mindanao. para magkaroon tlga ng TOTOONG PEACE!.
ReplyDeleteJust like the Oto Melera 76mm, I'm assuming/hoping the Mk.38 Mod.2 would be a staple weapon for the Philippine Navy's WHECS, the upcoming frigates and the upcoming SSVs. IMHO, it's a a very good weapon, and a MUST-have for PN ships.
ReplyDeleteBut I would like to point out (and I think sir Max would agree with me), that the Mk.38 Mod.2 is not a CIWS. At least, not a very capable one.
The Mk.38 Mod.2 in some cases, can function as a CIWS, as it can shoot aircraft and small boats in close proximity, but let's be honest, the core function of CIWS is shooting down incoming missiles, most of them supersonic ones. If we expect our ships to survive an encounter with a any aircraft or ship bearing missiles (which is basically saying all of them), our ships must have a dedicated CIWS.
I am hoping the Mk.38 Mod.2 would just be like what the FA-50. The FA-50s are going to be PH interim fighters until we get real MRFs and maybe, in the same way, the Mk.38 Mod.2 would be our interim CIWS until we get dedicated ones? Let's all cross our fingers that this would be the case.
That said, since PN is going to go with Mk.38 Mod.2 as a secondary gun (mirroring as a CIWS no less), I am hoping PN gets the RIM-116 RAM to supplant it in the future as far as CIWS functions are concerned.
The RIM-116 RAM is a dedicated CIWS very capable of destroying cruise missiles, it could also function as a SAM (better than the Mistral with its 9km range) and could be used against surface assets as it can fire Griffin B missiles.
To simply put, as the AFP has the penchant for using assets and weapons they are not built for, at least with RIM-116 RAM, they are going to have a top of the line CIWS (A must against the Chinese) PLUS, the versatility to used as anti-aircraft, anti-swarm tactic (and in extreme cases, anti-ship) weapon.
Of course the PN still needs the Exocets (preferabbly blk 3).
The fan-boy in me wants the WHECS/new frigates/SSVs to be armed this way:
WHECS - Oto Melera, Exocet, Mistral, Blue Shark Torpedoes, 50 cals, Mk.38 Mod.2 (in CIWS role just like what the PN says)
SSVs - Oto Melera, Mk.38 Mod.2, RIM-116 RAM, 50 cals
New Frigates - Oto Melera 76/62 Super Rapid, Exocet Blk 3, Stingray Torpedoes, Mk.38 Mod.2, RIM-116 RAM
- Neo
I hope all of you watch this video and so with our President Pnoy and the rest of AFP, Congress and Senator.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kz0JTEoXXc
I was hoping they would have installed the Phalanx CIWS for defense against anti-ship missiles. Either way - Mk.38 or Phalanx - we should not be too excited about these weapons. If you have to use a CIWS , that means your ship's outer defensive perimeters have been breached. They are essentially" Hail Mary" weapons of last resort and your ship will either sustain some damage or worse. For example , an antiship missile like the Brahmos will perform an S maneuver for the last few meters before impact. Good luck hitting that supersonic projectile with a CIWS.!!! And if there is more than one coming as it will always be the case - your ship is good as gone!!
ReplyDeleteKapal ng mukha talaga nitong mga congressman at senador na napanood ko sa tv regarding the hearing on bangsamoro basic law. Karamihan sa kanila ayaw na ng peace at gusto na mag all out war. Gusto nyo pala ng gyera bakit ayaw nyo pondohan ng malaki ang budget for afp modernization? Isa kayo sa dahilan kung bakit marami namatay sa Maguindanao. Parati kasi tinitipid ng mga pulitiko ang budget for national security. Ngayon sumasakay sila sa issue ng all out war para bumango sa mata ng publiko. Mga maliliit lang na utak ang maniniwala na totoong patriotic ang mga mga walang hiyang pulitiko na to. Kung totoo kayong nagmamalasakit sa bayan, tigilan nyo na ang pagnanakaw at maglaan kayo ng malaking budget para sa afp modernization. Gusto nyo pala ng gyera tapos ayaw nyo maglaan ng sapat na pondo. Ang sarap gawing human shield itong mga pulitikong ito. Sana sumama sa bakbakan itong mga pulitikong ito para maramdaman din nila ang mga pangangailangan ng sandatahang lakas. Puro salita. Ang galing magsuggest. Wala namang ginagawa para makatulong. Bunganga lang ang puhunan. Ang pinakamagandang gawin ng mga pulitiko na to para sa bayan ay ang magpakamatay. Malaking tulong para sa bayan kung lahat ng mga pulitiko na to ay magsuicide. Mas masahol pa kayo sa Abu Sayaff. Mga bwesit kayo. Sarap maghulog ng atomic bomb ngayon sa Congress at Senate Hall.
ReplyDeleteWala kahit isang senador o congressman ang handang ipaglaban ang modernisasyon at pagdagdag sa budget ng afp. Nakakalungkot isipin pero ganito ka unpatriotic ang ating mga mambabatas hindi nila nakikita na walang ptoteksyon ang ating mga kasundaluhan. Ngayn nagluluksa tayo sa 44, naimagine ko lang kung nagkaroon ng military confrontation tayo sa china, baka hindi nila makayanan ung dami na mamamatay na sundalo dahil sa kapabayaan ng kongreso
DeleteI may be ranting but I cannot just keep my dismay over what happened to the 44 troopers. So far we have not heard from the commission on human rights and the united states. The troopers got marwan through the us intelligence and we have not heard any condemnation from these two Chris and the usa. expect the Chris to keep quiet because they never sided with the army or police only with the reds yet we should not have lost 44 good policemen because some of the wounded then were murdered. Some sympathetic people went to pay their respect and saw for themselves some were mutilated nd shot in the face. The Usa has not said anything as it treats the milf with kid gloves. It serves the USA's interest to have the peace treaty as the peace treaty will somewhat "carve out" the the armm from the rest of the Philippines and the USA can make their deal with the ARMM, just maybe so. Remember the first attempt to have the treaty signed during gloria's time which was debunked by the supreme court because it was unconstitutional? at that time of the signing ambassador kenney of the USA was in Malaysia witnessing the signing of the accord. Various columnists raised the point of her presence. What was their Interest? Did the Americans wanted to capture marwan but did not want to use the army not to offend the milf and use the police-saf because they were not part of the Moa? Yun nga, nagtutulay ang americano saf dalawang ilog. is the milf the "security agency" or the private army of the Usages? We know for a fact the USA has been wanting to establish a base in the south, gensan in particular, but our constitution does not allow it and the only way to do it is to cave it out. Perhaps the approval of the VFA will change all that, treating the milf with kid gloves. The scenario may be too profound but recalling the past different news articles and columnists' opinion going back to Gloria and ramos' times what I said is not far fetched. There is more than meets the eyes. If the bbl is not signed then the 44 brave policemen did not die in vain. No accord will bring peace to mindanao because after the biff there will be another splinter group. We are not stupid the biff and milf are playing bad cop and good cop they are best friends forever.
ReplyDeleteRead the column of Federico Pascual in the Philippine Star edition of February 15. It somewhat strikes at the comment regarding the peace process and the mamasapano massacre.
ReplyDeletemodernization is moving but slow. the PN needs more at least 25 larger version of MPACs with surface to air missiles and torpedos. they also need to acquire more choppers.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good development for the GDP class frigates of the PN. Navy gun is more powerful. If anyone interested to know more about air gun you can visit this website best air rifle . In this website you can buy air rifles.
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