Manila: The Philippines is set to build more of its Navy’s warships at its own shipyards at home, instead of buying them from foreign suppliers. On so do doing, it will leverage its strong commercial shipbuilding and repaid industry.
The Asian country has been primarily engaged in commercial ship manufacturing. For export, the Philippines produces bulk carriers, containerships, and some tankers.
According to the Philippine Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), the number of shipyards recorded in 2022 increased to 124, from 116 shipyards in 2021.
There are 20 commercial shipyards in the National Capital Region (Navotas and Manila), 22 on the central island of Cebu, 19 in General Santos, 12 in Zamboanga, 8 in Iloilo, 6 in Surigao, 5 in Bataan, 4 in Subic.
The country also has seven (7) “Class A” shipbuilding and repair facilities; 19 under “Class B” and 98 under “Class C”, according to Marina
Domestic shipbuilding
The Philippine Navy is exploring domestic shipbuilding, including warships and submarines.
While challenges remain, the country has existing medium- and large-sized shipyards with aspirations for military vessel construction, potentially in collaboration with international shipbuilders.
This push for local production aligns with the government’s Self-Reliant Defense Posture Programme. The capability of the Asian country to build its own warships, particularly the small and hard-hitting fast-attack interdictor craft missile (FAIC-M), got a needed boost after Israel Shipyards Ltd turned over a newly-refurbished shipyard at the Naval Station, Pascual Ledesma in Cavite City, to the Navy.
The shipyard will facilitate the local construction of the three hard-hitting fast-attack interdictor craft missile (FAIC-M) vessels, which will form part of the fleet of the Philippine Navy’s Acero-class patrol gunboats.
Developing a domestic shipbuilding industry could strengthen the Philippine military’s ability to defend its territories and waters.
The 32-meter long fast-attack interdictor craft missiles are high-speed vessels equipped with quick intercept ability, remote stabilised weapons, and short-range missiles capable of delivering precision strikes against larger hostiles and high-value targets on land and sea.
Four of the fast-attack interdictor craft missiles will be armed with non-line-of-sight missiles with pinpoint accuracy and a range of 25 km; the other five will be armed with Typhoon-mounted 30mm main cannons and .50 caliber heavy machine guns.
The acquisition of these fast-attack vehicles come under the Horizon 2 List of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Programme.
Government contracts
Now, the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) has expressed interest in acquiring locally-produced naval ships. They are considering two financing options: a government-to-government deal or a bidding process, local media reported.
Earlier, the Philippines signed a contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for six new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). These vessels are part of the Philippine Navy’s modernisation programme and are based on HHI’s HDP-2200+ design.
The ships are not yet named and are currently referred to by their design classification (HDP-2200). Delivery is expected to start in 2026, with an estimated completion by 2028. The total cost of the project is estimated at Php 30 billion ($512.8 million).
New lease on life
In May, the former Hanjin shipbuilding facility in Subic Bay got a new lease on life.
US firm Cerberus leased part of the former Hanjin facility to HD Hyundai KSOE for renewable energy equipment production. Initially focused on offshore wind platforms, assembly could begin within 18 months.
Expansion
Meanwhile, the Australian shipbuilder Austal Philippines has completed a $20-million expansion of its shipyard in Balamban, Cebu. This expansion allows the company to construct naval vessels, including offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Philippine Navy. The expansion has also created hundreds of jobs for local residents.
Since its start in 2012, the Austal shipyard in Cebu has delivered 20 ships to operators in several countries. The company has recently completed a $20-million expansion of its shipyard in Balamban, in central Philippines.
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The company is currently building its largest vessel to date, a 109-meter vehicle passenger ferry for Fjord Line Norway. Austal Philippines shipyard is also designed to accommodate large vessel projects for assembly, outfitting, and painting.
The company’s expansion includes the reclamation of additional waterfront land and the development of new facilities to handle larger vessels.
Austal Philippines employs over 900 people at its Balamban facility, with about 90 per cent being local hirees. The expansion is part of its strategy to establish a regional manufacturing base for commercial vessels.
Shipbuilder Austal has recently completed Bañaderos Express, the largest high-speed trimaran built in the Philippines so far. Bañaderos Express is also the 20th vessel Austal has completed since it set up shop in West Cebu Industrial Park (WCIP) in Balamban, Cebu in 2012. It was built for inter-island ferry service Fred. Olsen Express of the Canary Islands.
Image Credit: Austal
This project is expected to generate local employment and supply chain opportunities. The investment is also seen to benefit the local government and residents.
Largest Austal ferry
In September 2022, Austal Philippines launched the largest ferry ever built by an Austal shipyard – the 115-meter high-speed catamaran ferry “Express 5” for Molslinjen of Denmark.
The launch also showcased Austal’s new vessel transportation system called “ANTS” (Austal Nautical Transportation System) which uses self-driving trolleys for efficient and cost-effective transportation of large vessels. Express 5 boasts a capacity of 1,610 passengers, 450 cars, and a service speed of 37 knots. It features amenities like reclining seats, Wi-Fi, a bistro, and entertainment areas.
The ferry is designed for a smooth ride and efficient operation with Austal’s Motion Control and Marinelink-Smart systems.
Leyte shipyard
Another shipyard in the Visayas is IMP Shipyard and Port Services, Inc., located in Barangay Balugo Uno, Albuera, Leyte.
This facility offers a full range of shipbuilding and repair services, including new construction, retrofitting, conversion, and modification of commercial merchant ships and fishing vessels.
It also offers fabrication services such as marine electronics repair, industrial fabrication, pier side repairs, underwater repairs, propeller repairs, and hull plating.
The IMP Shipyard is the first BOI-registered shipyard project in Leyte. It currently has ten (10) berths to accommodate two (2) ships for new construction and eight (8) ships for ship repair services.
It comes at an initial project investment cost of Php500 million ($8.5 million). The facility is expected to be fully operational by this month (July 2024), generating approximately 300 jobs, with 60 per cent sourced locally.
The country’s existing shipbuilding experience, ranking 4th globally (after South Korea, China, and Japan) since 2008, provides a solid foundation for this endeavour.
According to Janes, a British military intelligence provider, Southeast Asia’s maritime defense spending is forecast to grow from $8 billion in 2023 to $10 billion by 2030.
Source link : https://gulfnews.com/amp/world/asia/philippines/should-the-philippines-build-its-own-warships-1.1720543171089
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Publish date : 2024-07-09 20:35:35
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