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| The BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15), the Philippine Navy's flagship. The Navy is planning to have Mk.38 Mod.2 secondary 25mm autocannons fitted on the ship soon. |
Below are photos he took recently, and although the dry dock is far from his point of view, it is very obvious that the ship inside the dry dock is indeed a Gregorio del Pilar-class / Hamilton-class ship. To the untrained eyes, the double mast can be clearly seen on the first photo.
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| Both photos taken recently were taken at Subic Freeport. Although very small, it shows the BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15) dry docked. Photo taken and shared by one of MaxDefense readers. |
Several months ago (last year), MaxDefense posted a news article from PTV-4 and Philippine News Agency (PNA) regarding the BRP Ramon Alcaraz and its new Mk.38 Mod.2 25mm remote weapons station. In that article, it confirmed that the BRP Gregorio del Pilar was scheduled for dry docking betweem February and June of 2015. This might be the scheduled dry docking indicated in the said news report. It is also impossible for its sistership, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, to be dry docked this time as it just recently had its turn late last year.
The interesting part is that the report confirmed that the BRP Gregorio del Pilar is also scheduled to have Mk.38 Mod.2 25mm RWS installed during its dry docking. Originally, reports surfacing about the Philippine Navy acquiring Mk.38 Mod.2 guns from BAE was only for 2 units. So far, 2 units were already installed on the BRP Ramon Alcaraz last year.
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| The BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) already got its Mk.38 Mod.2 guns last year, and both guns were visible during its port visit to Cebu early this year. Photo above taken from Timawa.net, photo below taken by an anonymous MaxDefense reader. |
So did the Philippine Navy receive 2 more Mk.38 Mod.2 guns from the US? If yes, are the guns being installed on the PN's flagship now?
Only time will tell. It is expected that the PN will be bringing out the ship to the public again once it goes back to sea. And by then we can confirm 100% if such upgrade is indeed made on the ship.
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UPDATES:
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May 11, 2015:
The Philippine News Agency released an updated, as reported here by PTV News, confirming the undocking of BRP Gregorio del Pilar within this week. But it did not confirm the installation of any new system to the ship other than "preserve hull condition and servicing of machineries" which is typical to any drydocking activity.
MaxDefense will wait for any new information or photos after the drydocking which will confirm if there are anything new on the ship or not.
Missiles pls!
ReplyDeleteTorpedo pls!
DeleteI have this news that we already have few missiles for anti-ship, i don't know if real or hearsay only maybe six max can confirm.
Deletemcpadz
Since he not answering this question the i guess it's not true.
DeleteOh well....
Bigger budget pls!
I was stationed on the Mellon, a 378 cutter in the us coast guard, we had harpoons fitted for awhile and did a test firing which seemed to go fine.
Deletei hope that aside from the Mk 38 Mod 2 guns, the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar will also be installed with other weapons like the Harpoon anti ship missile.
ReplyDeleteSir Max, I appreciate and enjoy reading your write-ups, your blog is one of the reasons why I even care about the sorry state of the AFP. It gives me hope that somehow we're moving in the right direction. It makes me want to think we're finally turning a new leaf.
ReplyDeleteBut..
No offense sir Max, this recent write-up of yours is depressing.
I mean, the "Snail Plan 2020" is just 5 years from now and all the PN has to show for the time being.. is a gun being installed.. onto an old Hamilton.. with no missile capability.
This country is hopeless.
- Neo
I agree. are they just going to neglect the AFP forever like it is not needed. when are they going to buy some subs, MRFs, MBTs, etc. are we this dumbed?
DeleteLapu Lapu
We've been waiting all our lives, sana magkaisa tayo na mga may gusto maisulong ung mabilis na pagpapatupad ng mdernization ng AFP. Magschedule tayo ng rally sa senado at house of representatives. Mag usap usap tayo at ischedule natin. Walang masama sa gagawin natin, para sa bayan ito
DeleteHi Max! The bidding for the PN's two frigates has taken too long already. Classic case of analysis paralysis and lack of sense of urgency by the Bid and Awards Committee! Frustrating and very disappointing!
ReplyDeletehi sir max my question is out of the topic. how many m101 105mm howitzer does the Philippine army have today? Thanks sir
ReplyDelete120
DeleteMissile installations are for me more important that these guns... We have many guns already aboard andrada and aguinaldo class and these crafts are useful in smuggling and piracy task around our waters. Del Pilars in my understanding are for West Philippine Sea which are to confront China's Navy not pirates or smugglers. How about the Pohang Sir Max? what is the latest news. Renbios
ReplyDeleteSir Max,
ReplyDeleteHonestly, do they ever consider the urgency of this upgrade requirements?
Are they purchasing CIWS Phalanx for these two ships?
Thanks
The Navy is still thinking about having Phalanx or other alternatives. The Mk.38s are not designed to defend the ship from missiles in the same way as the Phalanx.
DeleteThe Navy is still thinking about having Phalanx or other alternatives. The Mk.38s are not designed to defend the ship from missiles in the same way as the Phalanx.
DeleteThe is probably why people here are not too excited about this. Mk.38s is only good for blasting away small boats within its perimeter, but useless againts defending the ship from other threats (incoming missiles, rockets, larger projectiles)
Aren't you disappoited about this development Sir Max?
Thanks
Emphasis on "STILL THINKING".
DeleteWhile China has been building up it's already massive military, the PN is still thinking on buying CIWS.
PN = Genius.
- Neo
Sir max, this news is better than never happen dba? me too are offset for the snail moving bidding of our frigate but i understand them coz due to a limited budget we really need to be careful on that project kasi mahirap nang magkamali kakaunti nangalang ang budget magkakamali pa! wright sir max?
ReplyDeletehopefully our supreme court will lift the freezing of malampaya fund so that our DND can shop more hardware for our AFP. aside from that since they freeze it they should have the basis to be issue on how to spend good that huge amount para hindi naman kawawa si Juan!!!
mcpadz
Why there is a label "typhoon"? Buying Euro fighter Typhoon?
ReplyDeleteThe Mk.38 Mod.2 is actually a US version of the Rafael Advanced Defense System's Typhoon Weapons Station.
DeleteSir Max is the DND/AFP and PN are not aware that we are already in the mid of 2015 and yet no words on the bidding of two (2) brand new Frigates? If by June or July still no words on who win the bidding and award it subsequently. then the project might be delay more because of issues of midnight deal as the new administration is coming by next year...
ReplyDeleteIt's already delayed, but they are trying to have it AWARDED and CONTRACT SIGNED before September, or else, it has to be cancelled until a new administration comes in.
DeleteRelative to your answer Sir Max, if comes to a situation that they cancelled the procurement. My question is how about the tax payers money they spent for hiring a consultant for the 2 new frigates.... It would show that they only wasted the government funds?
DeleteMany of the Filipino netizens are impatient already with the Frigate's procurement. Even the DND secretary and the rest of the member of the Bids and awards committee including the TWG all know the very risks they have if the project would not come into fruition. We all know they hire a consultant for this project using taxpayers money. For sure many involved government officials will be held liable in court during the reign of a new government or administration. In Filipino dialect " Sa kulungan bagsak nang mga yan"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2015/05/05/10729-jinggoy-chiz-proposed-inquiry-on-afp-modernization-acquisition-projects-scheduled-tomorrow
ReplyDeletestupid senators!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who didn't vote or voted for these guys?
DeleteThe blame is on us!!!!
Is it possible for the PN to have its third hamilton this year? I hope we can have two more of them
ReplyDeleteDepends if there is an available Hamilton-class for hand-over to the PN.
DeleteSir Max:
DeleteRefer to page 77.....no Hamiltons available, at least for FY2016. Only 2 Island class cutters to be decommissioned.
https://www.uscg.mil/budget/docs/USCG_FY2016_Congressional_Justification.pdf
MK 38 Mod 2 again?????? Idiotic and hopeless topic
ReplyDeleteSir max ,,,, topic like this don't post here in your blog...it no make sense
Neighboring countries expecting and waiting for there new sub marine, jet, air and land missile system and yet you post this kind of modernization thing here??? oh my goodness(shameful)
WAKE-UP PHILIPPINES
Why not post it? It is what it is.
DeleteFolk should be informed of the current state of their AF and stop living under a rock.
This blog is not designed to boast the Philippine military's capabilities. It is to discuss what is happeneing in the Philippine military, its modernization, and other issues that have regional implications.
Deletei'm not talking boasting...i'm talking important matters like i mention on top of my comments, like missile, shore base missile ,jets,war ship,radars, maybe tanks like TUNGUSKA can be used in air and ground defenses..that can protect our interest not like this MK38 MOD...old news, and beside this MK38 cannot protect this Del Pilar from in coming missile to hit him, so what is new about this news? nothing...and disgusting kind of topic to talk about and to hear. GRRRRRRRRRR
Deleteand MR. Max you called this MK38 a modernization...? shame....Grrrrrrrrr this is not modernization..it is kind of idiotism in the part of govt..... hahaha...
Next time put a topic in your blog that can capture attention and interest of your readers not like this MK38, this kind of weapon is only for pirates hahahahah......do you think china example will went close to this del pilar??? of course not...they will fire missile at once and this Del Pilar will pulverized....this MK38 ...is like Juan Tamad waiting guava fruits to fall down with his widely mouth open while sleeping....Grrrrrrrrrr
Sir Anonymous May 9, 2015 at 9:32 PM, I am saddened and depressed with sir Max's current post, but have you ever wondered why he wrote it? If he has a ton of material coming in and it's about jets and missiles, I bet he'd be very excited in telling us about it right away. But news about procurement has slowed these days and Sir Max has been scrapping the barrel just for you readers to have something to read.
DeleteI understand your frustration is ultimately directed at the people in charge of this so called modernization and this recent post of Sir Max only made us all feel negatively about the state of AFP's modernization.
.. but telling sir Max on what to write? That's way off dude.
Afterall, even his latest post has made us aware of what's going on (or what's not going on unfortunately). A simple Thank you for all of Max's would have been better.
- Neo
Hahahaha! Finally....somebody understood the situation!
Deleteit may have slowed down but we can look forward for congress finally showing more support for our AFP upgrade. The senate inquiry initiated by Sen Trillanes was meant to justify a proposal to increase the spending for AFP. The questions during that hearing looks more like formality and just going through the motion. i am still much hopeful
DeleteDapat magpasalamat pa nga tayo dito kay Sir Max kasi kahit papano nalalaman natin ang mga nangyayari sa AFP Modernization.
DeleteSir max, regarding the idea of installing anti ship missiles on GDP since it was tried on USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717) is not feasible at all.
ReplyDelete"Those LCS ships are a goddamn nightmare," said one HEC skipper. "Nobody at General Dynamics seems to be aware that aluminum alloys melt at 900 degrees, and the warheads on antiship missiles burn a whole lot hotter than that. Plus when the ship sprints, the fucking guns couldn't hit Diego Garcia at 500 yards". - http://www.duffelblog.com
The Hamilton-class ships are not LCS. You are talking about two different kinds of ships. The LCS = Littoral Combat Ships, are the Freedom-class and Independence-class.
DeleteThe installation of Harpoons were considered not feasible by the USCG because it is not their duty to fight wars, so there's no need to have missiles onboard. Don't mix up the issues so you won't get confused.
Whatever is that, Hamilton class is a great leap of Philippines Navy Modernization. From WW2 era boat to Remotely weapons on Hamilton class (Giorgio Del Pillar class) Frigates.
ReplyDeletemissiles seems late to impossible for this ships. but ow well. if AFP will take the ELBIT offer of upgrading this ships that would be great.
ReplyDeleteAside from Elbit, there were a lot of other offers that are currently in the DND's TWG tables.
DeleteThere's only 3 possibilities as to why BRP Gregorio Del Pilar is dry docked...
ReplyDelete1) It's undergoing weapons upgrade with the Mk.38 Mod.2 guns...
-Im confused though... How would it get Mk.38 Mod.2 guns if we only bought 2... and those 2 are already installed on BRP Ramon Alcaraz...hmm Did the government buy weapons without us knowing? -its not a bad thing..
2) She could be getting missiles... or upgrading her radar system...
3) Or she could just simply be undergoing repairs... they might have discovered something wrong with the ship and are trying to fix it...
Let's not jump into conclusion that she's really getting weapons installed on her though... Let's not give ourselves false hopes...
Anyways... Sir Max, when is the Pohang Class Corvette coming here? Is it going to be delivered with the other ship donated by SoKor? Do you have an idea what the name would be? Is it going to be officially turned over to the Philippine Navy here or in SoKor? Are we preparing some sort of welcome ceremony like we did with the 2 Hamilton Class Cutters?
What is the update on the 2 frigates? Is there a winner yet? We need to get on that! It takes a year or 2 for it to be built!
Can you also update us on our Makassar Class LPD please... When is it gonna be delivered here... Are we gonna conduct tests with it before we officially commission it... Have we decided on what weapons are gonna be put on them? Are we gonna install radar and high tech navigation systems on them? Have we decided on what boats are gonna be put inside them?... I heard one will serve as some kind of HQ for the navy?
Since we're already on the Navy topic... Is it possible for our government to request from the US more Hamilton Class Cutters? Or any ships they have that are available for us to acquire? I know it's not very smart to buy old second hand things but our Navy badly needs it!
Thank you!
Courtney Villa
I do hope it's not a false hope, especially when the source of the Mk.38s for the PF-15 came from PNA, the government's news agency!
DeleteSir Max share wit us the update of pohang plssss.
Deletemcpadz
To help grow the Philippine economy and be aware of what the Philippine product has, please add or visit FB proudlyphilipinemade@yahoo.com
ReplyDelete*** Don’t buy Chinese products
*** Filipino First
http://rentaka.weebly.com/blog/petronas-misc-mmhe-convert-cargo-vessel-into-mobile-sea-base
ReplyDeletehttp://rentaka.weebly.com/blog/petronas-misc-mmhe-convert-cargo-vessel-into-mobile-sea-base
ReplyDeleteThis might be a good temporary alternative. A conversion of a used Tanker or a Cargo ship ( maybe the Philiphine Goverment have some in their inventory ) will not cost much. Further more it can be done at a local yard which will benefit the local economy & a bonus, it cheap 2 operate.
instead of obsolete ships with low tech weapons, can we just use the limited budget to purchase anti-ship missiles and how about installing on our shores the laser weapon US Navy recently install on their ship? on land these laser can have more power supply. getting patrol planes and helicopters doesn't have any deterrent power to china. its south sea fleet had more than 200 ships and submarines plus their only carrier is also station around south china sea. the weapons we buy must have a high level of power projection. the two hamilton cutter will only be target opportunity when there is conflict. its the truth and the truth hurts, but we must do something. for once let all be united
ReplyDeleteCall me impatient but the procurement of the 2 brand new Philippine frigates has been delayed for a long time now. I am so disappointed with our leaders and their reluctancce to build a credible deterrance against China. Dadalawa nanga lang inabot pa ng pagtatapos ng termino ni Pnoy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you bro...ganyan kabagal ang systema sa gobierno natin walang urgency paano sa katutak ng red tape. Dapat iaayos natin mga batas at procurement ng defenses items...ang gulo gulo kasi.
DeleteThe problem with this country is Walang Paki Alam system, Walang urgency, mahilig sa politics, Lahat gustong kumita at walang pagmamahal sa atin bansa......Di ba lam ng mga namumuno na ang 9 dash line ay maykasunod na 2nd dash line na napapaloob ang Pilipinas? Ano inaantay natin? Kaya dapat habang may kaunti pang panahon abay GISING LAHAT PARA PALAKASIN ANG DEPENSA NG BANSA......
ReplyDeleteBRP Gregorio del Pilar will be undocked this week and there is a probable chance it might join the naval exercise with the JMSDF 2 Destroyer class ships at Bajo de Masinloc in WEST PHILIPPINE SEA. We might actually see upgrade Sir Max.
ReplyDeletethe country is hopeless. AFP modernization and building of structures in our occupied islands in WPS should have started 20 yrs ago when China was still sleeping. Our politicians are too busy stealing money in our national treasury. FVR is one of them. He stole the Ft Bonifacio real estate sales and proceeds supposed to be meant for the AFP modernization. Now FVR is retired and a multi millionaire and not one even try to investigate him for this. this is the kind of country we live in. Its not worth dying for. If China takes all the south china seas they deserve it since they worked hard and smart while we Filipinos are lazy and dumb that's why we are still the sick man of ASIA.
ReplyDeleteAs far as i know he was investigated by the Senate during Eraps time regarding the sales proceed from Fort Bonifacio but the investigation never finished because Erap was remove from power. FVR was one of the persons who took to the street demanding his ouster.Renbios
DeleteNo upgrade.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=760389
Fidel V. Ramos salot ka! wala kang ginawa sa militar. Military ka pa naman..alam ng tatay ko at lolo ko kung ano ang mga ginawa mong panloloko sa mga Filipino. Corrupt. pag namatay ka walang Filipino na mag alala sa mga ginawa mo. walang kang nagawa sa modernization ng AFP. kaka dismaya ka!
ReplyDeleteMax is there a great POSSIBILITY that the DND will announce the winning bidder beforw the PHL NAVY Anniversary or during ths day itself together with the commissioning of 2 AW109 armed assets 2 Balikpapan and turnover of Koreas Landing Craft. Unconfirmed sources are these will be the highlights of NAVY Anniversary
ReplyDeleteThis report is a sign of good news for AFP Modernization
ReplyDeletehttp://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2015/05/11/10867-senate-approves-in-final-reading-measure-seen-to-expedite-afp-modernization
mcpadz
This Administration should make their move on the 2 much long awaited light Frigate for the PN. I haven't lost hope yet but it's going down the wire. The only developments so far are the new amendments concerning the AFP modernization program which is a long delayed reaction by the senate but it's a good and welcome sign which down the road could may well be the catalyst in streamlining this much needed defense modernization plan. I'm praying that it be rewarded to the Sokor " Incheon " design. This will help the PN in acquiring additional assets through "package deals " . The South Korean Navy last year decommissioned all " flight II " Pohang class corvettes. As the PN is anticipating the arrival of one of the ship as a token from them and if everything goes in their direction it may open a lot of opportunities in acquiring additional "refitted and upgraded " Pohang Corvettes. Ultimately as soon as more "Incheon class frigates are commissioned this would replace and pave way to their " Ulsan class frigate " which with a few modifications and refitting may well be a possible candidate for the PN 2020 vision . Time is of the essence we have procrastinated in our ways and have wasted time and resources. Now we have to make bold decisions and actions to do this each and everyone need to be " all in "or nothing.
ReplyDeleteLet us all campaign against Chiz Escudero, Franklin Drilon and many other politicians who don't support the AFP Modernization Program. Let us not forget Bongbong Marcos who blames the government for escalating the tensions in the West Philippine Sea by seeking the help of the US. Bongbong Marcos still wants to maintain a friendly relationship with China despite China's aggressive behavior by building islands inside our territory. These politicians are very unpatriotic.
ReplyDelete