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Philippine NavyDate Updated: Sunday August 13, 2006Home|Marines|Air Force|ArmyBasically, you can divide the Philippine Navy into three distinct groups - the small craft,inshore patrol craft navy, the "large" ship navy and the amphibious/logistics support shipnavy. The former is relatively new, modern and efficient while the later two groups, withthe exception of a few ships, are old, decrepit and in need of immediate replacement.The core of the modern small craft navy is composed of Halter-Marine 78 foot gunboats(built in US and Philippine shipyards) as well as two classes of South Korean designedand built boats plus a smattering of local and German built units. All are relativelymodern and have proven quite useful in controlling smuggling, piracy and the rebels inthe areas where they operate. The problem is that given the size of the waters theyneed to patrol, there are not enough of them, nor are there enough funds to fully utilize

these assets. Furthermore, while these ships are useful in patrolling inshore and littoralwaters, their small size and limited range limits their usefulness in protecting the outerfringes of the 200 mile EEZ.The core of the large ship navy are the six former US Patrol Craft Escorts/EscortRescue ships, two ex-US Navy Auk class former minesweepers, one ex-US Admirableclass ship,one Canon class frigate, all of the same World War II vintage. In 1997,these old ships were augmented by three Peacock class patrol ships that together formthe most capable component of the fleet. These ships are used for longer range EEZpatrols, fishery protection, showing the flag around the Spratlys, naval gunfire supportand other missions requiring longer range, sea-keeping ability and staying power.

Some of the areas that the navy has to patrol have rough seas even in good weather(i.e., northern Luzon, between Taiwan and Batanes) where it is prudent not to use thesmaller gunboats.Compared to the larger combatants, the amphibious ships are no younger. With theexception of two modern US built Logistics Support Vessels, the Navy depends on 6LSTs built in the 1940s plus a number of smaller amphibious craft.

While the years of underinvestment has taken its toll and various capabilities have beenlost (i.e., mine warfare and anti-submarine warfare to point out the most obvious), it hasmanaged to maintain minimum capabilities in some areas (i.e., amphibious warfare,

naval gunfire support), and improve on some others (i.e.. anti-piracy, anti-smuggling).However, it's most telling deficiency is the lack of an anti-ship missile capability. Someforeign analysts say that as long as the Philippine Navy cannot field a minimum numberof anti-ship missiles, other navies will not take it seriously. A situation which could invitefurther aggression.While the PN has not improved it's conventional warfare capabilities much in the pastyear, COIN and anti-piracy/counter terrorism capabilities has increased markedly. Not

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the least of which is the commissioning of one ex-USN Cyclone class PatrolCraft/Special forces transport. There is also an added incentive to improveconventional and unconventional defenses around the western seas around thePhilippines notably with the development of offshore natural gas deposits in theMalampaya area. The PN is currently negotiating with Sweden for the delivery of four

Combat Boat 90s to improve on its ability to deploy special operations forces in defenseof the natural gas area. One of the boats is to be paid for out of Navy modernizationfunds while the remainder are to paid for with funds provided by the Philippine Energydepartment.

To make more efficient use of its limited resources, the PN is establishing RadarObservation stations at specific choke points around the country. The stations areequipped with tower mounted Coastal Surveillance radar as well as radio and land linecommunications linked with PN headquarters. Six (?) stations are currently operatingwith a further two currently being bid out for commissioning in the next couple of years.Editor: You have to give the Philippine Navy credit though - with all the fundingconstraints, it has managed to operate and maintain it's old hardware pretty well. Personnel (2000 Fiscal Year):

The Philippine Navy has:1,888 Officers including 400 Marines17,342 Enlisted Personnel including 7,700 Marines1,503 Civilian Employees20,733 TOTALNote: Funding for the Marines is obtained through the Philippine NavyPlans and ProgramsUnlike the air force though, the Navy has had been success in acquiring newerequipment. The only problem is that with so many of its main units well past blockobsolescence, so many hulls are required and one for one replacements are waybeyond any of its current means. The service is therefore forced to continuously put oldhulls through upgrade programs to keep them in service. This fact is reflected in thenavy's near term programs:

Acquisition of four small, fast transports. The plan is to acquire up to 4 Combat Boat90s with one being funded from the Navy budget and the remainder being being fundedby the Philippine Department of Energy.Upgrade of two PKMsUpgrade of its three Peacocks including the acquisition of a new fire control system

Acquisition of tactical radiosOverhaul and upgrade of some of its aircraft

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