An article from the blog “ The submarine portal » reveals that the Philippine Defense Secretary, Delfin Lorenzana, will visit France during the month of September to discuss the possibilities of modernizing the Philippine naval force, and more particularly, the possible acquisition of submarines , of which it has so far been deprived.
Although made up of more than 7500 islands, the Philippines had only a small naval force, mainly using Western ships acquired second-hand or transferred by the United States. In 2011, faced with growing tensions with China over Philippine possessions in the China Sea, the country began developing a strengthened Navy. After several hesitations, the country finally approached South Korea, with which it developed the Joze Rizal class of frigate, based on Hyundai's HDF-3000 model, ordered in 2 copies and the first unit of which should be delivered in 2020 to the Philippine Navy. The country also chooses South Korean builders for its corvette model, based on the Pohan class, and its future assault and command ship.
The Philippine Navy also expresses the need to have a fleet of conventionally powered submarines, now considered essential to ensure the protection of the fleet and the territorial integrity of the country. The entry into service of these buildings, of which there are 3, was to take place in 2020, according to the 2012 plan, but it is clear that in the absence of the slightest progress in this area, entry into service around 2030 seems more likely today.
Because it would not be enough, in this case, to provide submarines to the Philippine Navy. The latter having never used this very specific type of vessel, it will be necessary to support the development of an “underwater culture” in the country's navy, and to train “ab initio” all the specialties stakeholders specifically in and around a submersible. An area in which Naval Group, the French BITD, and the French Navy are perfectly sized and experienced to provide efficient and adapted solutions.
It remains to be seen how, with a budget dedicated to the armed forces of only $3,9 billion in 2019, the country will manage to finance the acquisition of 3 submarines, buildings known to be very expensive, and the adaptation of necessary infrastructure such as training. personnel. The sale of 4 Scorpene to Brazil was negotiated at €6,7 billion…