Saab to deliver Sea Giraffe radars for Philippine Navy frigates

Defense technology company Saab says it has been awarded a contract to deliver its Sea Giraffe AMB naval radar system to the Philippine Navy.

The radars, in addition to the company’s 9LV for radar control and display for enhanced situational awareness, will be installed on two Philippine Navy frigates: BRP Gregorio del Pilar (FF-15) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF-16).

The systems are being delivered through a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deal between the US and the Philippines.

Photo by Philippine Navy

BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz are former US Coast Guard Hamilton-class cutters, transferred to the Philippines in 2011 and 2013, respectively. A third Hamilton-class cutter, former USCGC Boutwell, was transferred to the Philippines in 2016 and was christened by the Philippine Navy as BRP Andres Bonifacio.

“With Sea Giraffe AMB currently part of three separate US Navy programs, this contract further strengthens Saab’s position as a trusted supplier for the US Navy. We are proud that our world-class naval radar meets the USN’s standards and needs,” said Anders Carp, Head of Saab business area Surveillance.

Saab is currently delivering its Sea Giraffe AMB to five classes of US Navy surface ships as a part of three separate US Navy programs.

To date, Sea Giraffe has been installed on six littoral combat ships, LCS 2 through LCS 12. Additional systems are in various stages of manufacturing and testing to meet LCS construction schedules.

In October 2017, the US Navy announced it will deploy Sea Giraffe AMB on the US Coast Guard’s newest class of ship, the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC). Additionally, Saab is developing a derivative of Sea Giraffe AMB, known as AN/SPN-50, to meet the US Naval Air Systems Command’s air traffic control requirements on aircraft carrier and amphibious assault class ships.

Article Source: NavalToday.com

Additional quick firing weapons to be fitted to BRP Ramon Alcaraz

Expect the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the country's second Hamilton-class cutter in service, to be more capable in defending Philippine waters once its Mark 38 Model 2 25mm "Bushmaster" auto-cannons are installed before the end of the first quarter this year.

"An MK38 MOD 2 25mm machine gun system aboard USS Pearl Harbor. Photo: US Navy photo by mass communication specialist 2nd class Jason Behnke." (Photo courtesy of www.naval-technology.com)

The weapons, which will act as its secondary guns to its quick firing 76mm Oto Melara main gun, will be fitted to the ship's port (left) and right (starboard) side, Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic, said.

He added that the weapons will be fitted to the ship by American armament specialists in the ship's Subic Bay, Zambales homeport.

The guns were supposed to be installed by a private shipyard but the costs was too expensive, prompting the Philippine Navy to seek US assistance.

The ship was commissioned last Nov. 22 at Manila South Harbor after which, was immediately deployed to help in the ongoing relief efforts for "Yolanda" battered Tacloban City.

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz arrived in the Philippines last Aug. 6 after a two-month voyage from the United States.

Fabic said that having the two "Bushmaster" auto-cannons in BRP Ramon Alcaraz's arsenal will greatly enhance the vessel's capability to deal with targets coming fast and too close to ship to utilize its 76mm cannon.

Military sources said the weapon was commissioned by the US Navy following the terrorist attack on the USS Cole in 2000. It was designed to counter high-speed maneuvering surface targets and will be installed in almost all US surface ships by 2015.

The remotely controlled chain gun system can fire as many as 180 25mm rounds per minute at targets as far as two kilometers.

The new weapons systems are upgraded versions of the Mark 38 M242 "Bushmaster" that were removed from the vessels prior to its turnover to the Philippines.

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