Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin announced that the country entered negotiations with the Italian government for the purchase of two Maestrale class Anti-Submarine frigates in a deal estimated at 11.7 billion Philippine pesos (280 Millions USD).
Eight vessels of this class are currently in service with the Italian Navy. The two Frigates to be transfered to the Philippine Navy are expected to be refurbished first, and likely see some of their systems and weapons upgrade or modernized.
The Maestrale class frigates primary task is Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), however their weapons and systems provides them with a high degree of flexibility which makes them capable warships in Anti-Surface (ASuW) and Anti-Air (AAW) warfare roles.
If the deal goes through, the two Frigates will be purchased as the solution to the Philippine Navy Deep Water Patrol Vessel and will significantly boost the Philippine Navy capabilities, especially in terms of Anti-Submarine Warfare.
The Philippines and China have been embroiled in a growing dispute over territorial claims in the South China Sea. The Philippines has launch an extensive modernization program for its Armed Forces as a consequence.
Asian Defence News
with all these flooding things going on in the Philippines, I can't imagine how the Pilipinos priority become so out of whack trying to buy a battleship. AND FOR WHAT? can that one ship really defend the Philippines??
ReplyDeleteLet me guess, you're a Chinese? Or a paid for Filipino communist?
Deleteyou guessed right.
Deleteyou're right guys, may be HE IS A CHINESE PUPPET....
DeleteHe's Chinese Rat.. GREEDY!!!
DeleteMr. Anonymous: We are buying two of those ships and not ONE as you wrote (basahin mo kasi ng mabuti). And they are not enough to defend the Philippines, that's why we should by buy more. And by the way, the AFP modernization is already 15 years overdue, so stop whining.
Deletecommie dumbshit. that's only a frigate. Not a battleship. people like you who have that kind of opinion and mindset are the reason why we can't defend our sovereignty from external aggressors who steal our territory and resources.
Delete- AXL
or he is just an stupid dickhead guys. cool off, he might be an Intel of red monkeys.
DeleteBuying those military hardware is not about going for war, but asserting and defending the Exclusive Economic Zone of a country like the Philippines against pirates and smugglers. You need to know more about Geo-political situation is Asia. You comment is a shallow poor assessment man!:)
ReplyDeletevery true...yes that's right.
DeleteA wise man in times of peace, prepares for war.
ReplyDeletewhat if we don't buy those military hardware..we will let the chinese occupy our Territory? is that what you want huh..our future will start at first step..then soon and so forth..God bless the Philippines.God give this land to the Filipino people..we will protect and depend our country God bless our Armed Forces..
ReplyDeletewe have to start from somewhere..2 frigates is a good start or 12 FA-50's...alam mo wala tayong pera para bumili ng maramihan..duh..
ReplyDelete