Philippine Coast Guards Fast Patrol Boats this 2018

I've chance upon today an article shared by a Facebook page named "Defense Review", contents was about the selection of OCEA to supply 4 fast patrol boats and 1 offshore patrol boats to the Philippine Coast Guard. So I was looking for the source article but it wasn't on the FB post. I tried searching online and it pointed me to an article posted January 8, 2018 at NavyRecognition.com entitled "OCEA to Supply Patrol Boats and OPV to Philippines Coast Guards".

So I said to myself, Cool! I have the source article, but something was still bugging me with the article, since I haven't encountered any news from our local media outlets regarding this purchase. So I went back to the google search results and all of the articles were from 2014, except for 1, the article was from the Diplomat dated September 13, 2017 and entitled "When will the Philippines Get its New French Vessels?"

So this project was really from 2014. According to the Diplomat, the project was formalized with a contract signing between the Department of Transportation and French shipbuilder OCEA in September 2014. The Philippines was expected to receive 5 ships - one (1) 82 meter Offshore Patrol Vessel and four (4) 24 meter fast patrol boats. It also includes a five-year preventive maintenance, spare parts for five years, and technical assistance and training for the crew.

The project moved along even with the change of administration back in 2016. Sometime around April, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade visited the OCEA shipyard in Sables d’Olonne, France to inspect the four 24-meter fast patrol boats.

Then on September 6, Department of Transportation Undersecretary for Maritime Affairs Felipe Judan and OCEA’s director of maritime safety and security, Fabrice Weinbach, signed the contract effectiveness agreement for the acquisition of the vessels. The signing was witnessed by Secretary Arthur Tugade and French Embassy representative Laurent Estrade.

The first fast patrol boat is expected to be delivered to the Philippines after eight months, with remaining ones arriving in succession after a 45-day delivery gap, and the OPV arriving up to 23 months following the signing of the contract, according to the Diplomat.

After reading the Diplomat article, I tried to look again for the source of the January 8, 2018 article that was posted in the Navy Recognition website, so I went to the OCEA SSM website which is the website for OCEA's Maritime Safety & Security. And there I found the source, the manufacturer themselves. The article was entitled "World Premier - an 84 meter OPV in Aluminum". It highlighted a portion of the project and as well as the capabilities of the ships.

FPB 72MKII

Photo from OCEA SSM website.

The 24 meter fast patrol boats model name is FPB 72MKII. OCEA already delivered a number of these to Nigeria (2) and Suriname (1). The Philippines will be its 3rd user with the most number of ships for this model.

According to the manufacturers website, the FPB 72MKII will have a speed of 20-35 knots and a range of 600NM @ 12 knots. Crew of 8 plus an additional 3 personnel. The FPB is designed to operate in territorial waters and EEZ's

OPV 270

Photo from OCEA SSM website.

The OPV 270 is an 84 meter vessel designed to patrol exclusive economic zones. It can stay on patrol for 30-45 days and has a range of 4,500-8,000NM @ 12 knots. Ship speeds will be in the 20-30 knots. Crew size of 44, plus an additional 26 personnel, and can carry another 35 survivors during rescue situations.

According to OCEA the vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2018 for the 4 FPB 72MKII and in 2019 for the OPV 270.


Can we add more OPV 270's for the coast guard? What do you think?

PAF Chief visits Cebu as part of 65th founding anniversary

Says PAF to upgrade its defense capabilities

CEBU CITY, June 4 (PIA) -- Philippine Air Force (PAF) Commanding General Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino Dela Cruz in a recent visit to Cebu announced that PAF will be acquiring new external defense equipment to upgrade their capabilities.

De la Cruz told the good news during a media interview at the Brigadier General-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City last Friday as the commanding general made a round of visits nationwide as part of the highlights in commemorating the PAF 65th Founding Anniversary next month.

The PAF recommended a P75-billion budget for additional aircraft in order to implement the modernization program, which is spread in a five-year period.

Dela Cruz said they already submitted to Malacañang the list of necessary equipment that needs to be purchased and the first equipment they want to acquire is the air defense radar.

“We will be acquiring other weapon systems and other equipment needed by the PAF,” said Dela Cruz.

At present, the PAF received four new helicopters for use during search and rescue operations and an additional four helicopters will be delivered in November.

For the meantime, the approved purchase was based on the recommendations that include 10 new attack helicopters from France, 21 additional UH-1H utility helicopters to augment the existing utility aircrafts, three medium airlift fixed wing, and 18 trainer aircrafts.

In addition, Dela Cruz also recommended purchasing N-24 Nomads aircraft and two light lift aircrafts to replace the existing F-27 Fokker.

In his message, the PAF Chief encouraged the air force personnel to strengthen their forces and capabilities in protecting the country and create more programs to enhance professionalism and promote the welfare of the soldiers.

On its 65th anniversary, the PAF carries the theme “PAF @ 65th, Bagwis ng Kapayapaan, Tagapagtanggol ng Kalayaan.”

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Hazel F. Gloria | Philippine Information Agency | June 4, 2012 | Article Link

French naval vessel in Cebu for goodwill visit

THE French Navy ship FS Vendemiaire arrived in Cebu City yesterday morning as part of their nine-day goodwill visit to the country.

The vessel's 92-strong crew including officers headed by its captain Commander Jean-Christophe Olieric were received by the Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) and the French consulate officials in Cebu.

Other Navy officers and representatives of the French Consulate boarded the ship for a brief meeting that ended at past 11 am. Media were requested by the French Consulate not to board the ship for security reasons.

Ensign Joseph Ison, Navforcen spokesperson, said there will be goodwill games between the French Navy and Navforcen and a ship tour today as part of their five-day goodwill visit.

Ison said there won't be any exercises during their visit.

Goodwill visits, Ison said, is one way for the Navy to learn the culture, expertise and capabilities of the French Navy.

Navforcen personnel will also have a chance to familiarize themselves with French’ weaponry, machineries and other capabilities of their ship.

The French vessel's visit marks its first in Cebu. It visited Manila in 2009.

FS Vendemiaire is a light monitoring frigate or warship of the French Marine Nationale. It has missiles, guns, a turret and a helicopter.

They are docked at berthing space no. 5 at the Cebu International Port. They will also be having a series of courtesy calls at the Capitol, Cebu City Hall and Centcom today.

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Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus

2/13/2012

Cebu Daily News

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Photo courtesy of SnipCebu.Com

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