Philippines To Acquire Its First-Ever Submarine As It Prepares To Stand Up To China In David Vs Goliath Clash
The Philippines has long been engaged in a ‘confrontation’ with China over the control of vast swathes of the South China Sea. The country has finally committed to acquiring its first-ever submarine. The decision stems from the increasing Chinese aggression and Gray Zone operations in the region.
The French Naval Group, which has emerged as one of the top contenders, has offered its Scorpene submarines to turn the Philippines Navy into a major force. The South East Asian country also has an offer from South Korean DSME, Russia, and Turkey to build submarines for its navy.
The Philippines is not only looking to acquire a submarine but also manufacturing within the country. Along with the building capability, the country is looking at training capabilities.
“There is a plan. But it’s still being developed. Operating a submarine is not a small commitment. It is a very large commitment because of the training that is involved, the equipment that is involved, and the operational requirements that are involved are quite significant,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Marcos said during a media interview at the 125th-anniversary celebration of the Philippines Navy in Manila.
Reports inform that the Philippine Navy has already sent personnel to France for training before procuring the submarines. This suggests that the Naval group might be in the pole position with its Scorpène-class diesel-electric submarines (SSK) on offer. Brazil, Chile, India, and Malaysia have also chosen the submarines.
The Philippine Navy has started working towards building its submarine force since 2015 by sending its personnel to train at the DCI’s facility in France. A crew of 31 sailors will operate the Scorpene SSK that the Naval Group is offering the Philippine Navy and will have an endurance of 80 days at sea.
Scorpene-class submarine
This variant is similar to those operated by Brazil. It will also have six torpedo tubes and can deploy a total of 18 munitions. It will be armed with SM 39 Exocet anti-ship missiles and F21 heavyweight torpedoes.
Despite the intent to procure, the submarine plan had been in limbo due to the small defense budget of the country. The estimated budget for procuring two submarines has been pegged at 70-100 billion Philippine Pesos (1.25-1.80 billion USD). The procurement is part of the Philippines Navy’s Horizon 3 modernization plan (from 2023-2028).
Once the deal is finalized, it will take at least five years for the first of the submarines to enter the fleet. While the Naval Group is not offering to build the submarines in the island country, it is offering to train its personnel for four years.
The watchers of the South China Sea have welcomed the development and say that the Philippines will be better off by allying with like-minded countries and building internal capability. Presently most of its neighboring countries – Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia are operating submarines.
Scorpene with AIP would be a good match for the Phillipines.
ReplyDeleteSouth East Asia urgently needs to invest in assymetric defence capabilities to stand up to the Big Bully to the North.
ReplyDeleteFor most of the last 1,000 years, whenever it was strong, China has acted with iron fist as a hegemon over South East Asia.
Sri Wijaya, Majapahit, Malacca Sultanate, successive Vietnamese empires all paid homage to the Celestial Emperor... or else...
The exception has been the interlude of the late 19th- most of 20th Century, when China was too weak to carry out any mischief.
Wow… u propagating 台毒 farts!
DeleteThose surrounding foreign nations started paying homages to the China empire during the reign of the late Han dynasty. It became a common sight during the indomitable Yang dynasty where many nations, near & far, sent congregations of officials & scholars to learn from China. They r been overwhelmed by the shows of prosperity & harmony of the Chinese then.
None of these happened under ANY enticipated colonial forces to vassalize these countries!
Mfer, do prove yr diarrheas of
"China has acted with iron fist as a hegemon over South East Asia.
Sri Wijaya, Majapahit, Malacca Sultanate, successive Vietnamese empires all paid homage to the Celestial Emperor... or else..."
BTW, have u ever considered the fact that after Admiral Zhengho's mighty fleets, the largest armada known to the then world, to tour the foreign seas, the Ming emperor decided to close the China territorial doors to any outsiders. The Chinese were also forbidden to travel & trade with any outsiders.
It was the arrogance of the Ming & Qing emperors in declaring that there were NOTHING the Chinese could learn/buy from these foreign nations!
Mfer, do keep farting yr make-believed farts/lies. U only fool yrself & the likes.
Should read Tang dynasty.
Delete