Lt. Commander Nerelito Martinez, Philippine Fleet acting chief of staff for plans and programs, revealed details about the Philippine Navy’s 15-year strategic development plan dubbed “Philippine Fleet Desired Force Mix”, in a recent Philippine Fleet publication. Several news organs, as the Philippine Star, have since referenced his article their articles on the subject.
The plan calls for the following mix of assets:
- Six (6) frigates configured for anti-air warfare
- Twelve (12) corvettes designed for anti-submarine warfare
- 18 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OVs)
- Three (3) submarines
- Three (3) Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs)
- Four (4) Strategic Sealift Vessels (SSVs)
- 18 Landing Craft Utility (LCU)
- Three (3) Logistics Support/Replenishment Ship (LSS)
- Three (3) Ocean tugs
- Six Yard/Fire Tugs
- 12 Cyclone class Coast Patrol Interdiction Craft (CPIC),
- 30 Patrol gunboats,
- 42 Multi-Purpose Assault Craft (MPACs)
- 24 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs)
- Eight (8) Amphibious Maritime Patrol Aircraft (AMPA)
- 18 Naval Helicopters embarked aboard frigates and corvettes
- Eight (8) Multi-Purpose Helicopters (MPH) [embarked aboard the SSVs]
This list includes two types of vessels that have already been produced in Philippine shipyards: the BRP Tagbanua Landing Craft Utility, and the MPAC Mk.1 and Mk.2. It will be interesting to see what other classes of vessels could potentially be produced locally.
