Philippine Submarine Acquisition Update – 06/07/21

Image taken from the PN 2020 Calendar

Some updates from the Philippine Navy (PN) on their planned acquisition of Submarines:

* If not for the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Pandemic, the signing of the Contract for the Submarines would’ve likely occurred either during the second half of 2021 or first half of 2022. 

Of South Korean and Kilo class Submarines

An interesting article from the “Gentle Seas” Blog about some of the prospects for the Submarine acquisition project of the Philippine Navy (PN). I think the South Korean (SK) Submarines are great, especially since they have been doing some nice upgrades on them recently.

However, I don’t agree with some of the American Author’s views about Russia’s Kilo class Submarines, especially now where it can be considered by the PN as part of President Duterte’s initiative to establish better relations with Russia.

I agree that the Kilo is a relatively large Submarine, but I think if you look at the Depth Charts of the waters around the country there are still a lot of waterways where the Kilos could go thru.

As for the Kilo’s reputation, it is one of the most successful Submarine designs in terms of the number of Navies that bought it and the number of Submarines bought. It wouldn’t have been like that if it was that bad.

Lastly, regarding the loans, Digong himself had said a number of times that Russia was willing to provide Soft Loans for Military Weapons Platform and Weapons. On the other hand, most if not all of the stuff we bought from South Korea have not gone thru any loans at all, although they did donate a very nice ship in the BRP Conrado Yap and some Rocket Launchers also. 

Again I am not saying that to diss the South Koreans, I am just saying that as a fact, which it is.

SOURCE: South Korea could Export Submarines to Philippines

Like my page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philippinedefensebulletin
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilDefNews
Subscribe to me on Blogger: https://therhk111philippinedefenseupdates.blogspot.com
Visit me on Wordpress: https://rhk111smilitaryandarmspage.wordpress.com
Watch my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoTzGfu0iP9VPaQQ9EOjVQ/videos

Philippine Navy Submarine Program Article by the Meta-Defense France Website

Here is an interesting article about the recent history of the Philippine Navy’s (PN) Submarine Program by this French website called Meta-Defense. The original article is in French, but the website allows a link to an auto-translated page in English.

There are a number of interesting things about the program that he tackled in the article, but the most interesting ones for me would be:

* Russia submitted an offer (probably for Kilo class Submarines) to the Philippines reportedly thru a Memorandum of Understanding in August 2018. The offer was good for one year but that the Philippines could not decide until the offer expired in August 2019.

* Russia was said to have resubmitted the offer this month (October 2019), hence if it is good for one year also then it will lapse in October 2020.

* The author of the article theorizes that used Submarines would be the best fit for the PN’s budget for Submarines.

The reports above about the Kilo subs seem to jive with the local news articles, remember how last year the PN was talking about the Kilos but then things sort of died down, but this month Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev was again talking about Russia's Submarine offer to the Philippines.

SOURCE: Philippine Navy: Acquisition of an Underwater Capacity (2018-2022)

Like my page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philippinedefensebulletin
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilDefNews
Subscribe to me on Blogger: https://therhk111philippinedefenseupdates.blogspot.com
Visit me on Wordpress: https://rhk111smilitaryandarmspage.wordpress.com
Watch my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoTzGfu0iP9VPaQQ9EOjVQ/videos

Submarine Acquisition Update – 10/24/19

An update on the Submarine Acquisition Project by Philippine Navy (PN) Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad:

* Submarine acquisition by the PN has been approved in principle by President Rodrigo Duterte, but that no funds yet has been allocated for the program.

* He estimates the cost of each Submarine to be from Php 35-40 billion (Usd 673-769 million), bringing the cost for six Submarines to at most Php 240 billion (Usd 4.6 billion).

The news about Duterte approving the sub acquisition was mentioned already a couple of months ago.

I am a bit surprised though that he is now mentioning six subs now instead of just two before.

Early this month he said that Russia’s Kilo class subs were too large and expensive for the PN, but now it seems he is mentioning them again as contenders for the program.

Also, at the price of the sub he is quoting at Usd 673-769 million, that doesn't seem like for a smaller sub like the Scorpene 1000. That seems like for the bigger Scorpene 2000 already, or at least it should be.

SOURCE: Phil Navy, umaasa na maglalaan ng Pondo ang Kongreso na pambili ng Submarines

Like my page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philippinedefensebulletin
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilDefNews
Subscribe to me on Blogger: https://therhk111philippinedefenseupdates.blogspot.com
Visit me on Wordpress: https://rhk111smilitaryandarmspage.wordpress.com
Watch my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoTzGfu0iP9VPaQQ9EOjVQ/videos

Israel submitted a Proposal for the PN Submarine Program

In a news article, Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad is quoted as saying that Israel also submitted a proposal for the Submarine Program of the Philippine Navy (PN).

Now Israel does not produce Submarines, but they do operate three Dolphin I class Submarines which are reportedly set to be replaced starting in 2027.

2027 also happens to be the timeline that Adm. Empedrad said the Navy is hoping to get its first Submarine, so it fits with the PN’s schedule and it’s possible that Israel perhaps offered their Dolphin I Submarines to the PN.

REFERENCES:
* French Subs fit Philippine Navy requirements: Empedrad
* Why no Nation would want to fight Israel's tiny (Nuclear Armed) Navy
* Philippine Navy eyes to have first Submarines by 2027

Check out my Links: https://linktr.ee/rhk111

Submarine Program Update by Adm. Empedrad – Oct. 2, 2019

Philippine Navy (PN) Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad provided an update on the PN’s Submarine Program. As per him:

* France’s Scorpene class Submarines fit the PN’s requirements, but does not mean it is their preferred platform.

* Russia’s Kilo class Submarines are too large and expensive to acquire and operate for the PN.

* South Korea and Germany have submitted proposals also to the PN for Submarines.

* PN plans to acquire two, but ideal number is six.

Past Contracts tend to point out the Scorpene as being more expensive than the Kilo, unless of course Adm. Empedrad is talking about the smaller Scorpene 1000 Submarine.

It is also possible that the Adm. already has the Cost Estimates from the manufacturers themselves of these Subs. At any rate, I hope the planned acquisition does push thru, and soon.

SOURCE: French Submarine ‘fits’ PH Navy requirement

Like my page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philippinedefensebulletin
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilDefNews
Subscribe to me on Blogger: https://therhk111philippinedefenseupdates.blogspot.com
Visit me on Wordpress: https://rhk111smilitaryandarmspage.wordpress.com
Watch my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoTzGfu0iP9VPaQQ9EOjVQ/videos

Philippine Navy updates on Submarines and Jose Rizal class Frigates

Updates from the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) article on the Philippine Navy’s (PN) Submarine plans and the latest news on the Jose Rizal class Frigates:

* The PN is hoping to get the delivery of the first of two Submarines by 2027

* PN Personnel sent to France in December 2018 for Submarine Training.

* Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says though that no Submarine supplier has been selected yet as of now.

* The PN has already sent the first 28 of its Personnel to start Training for the Jose Rizal class Frigates.

SOURCE: Philippine Navy eyes to have first Submarines by 2027

Check out my Links: https://linktr.ee/rhk111