Philippine Navy Updates Fleet Replacement Plans

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January 28, 2020 – Aside from the decommissioning of the Rizal-class patrol vessel BRP Rizal (PS-74) today, another asset that is retiring today as well is the Batilo-class fast attack craft BRP Nicolas Mahusay (PC-119, formerly PG-116)).

For those who follow us closely, this is Batilo-class patrol boat that we mentioned some weeks ago that will be retiring soon, and the reason why MaxDefense and military historian Cdr. Mark Condeno PCG posted a background on BRP Nicolas Mahusay last 19 January 2020.

With the retirement of BRP Nicolas Mahusay (PC-119), the Philippine Navy Littoral Combat Force will only have 3 Batilo-class fast attack crafts remaining.

The Philippine Navy, specifically its FOIC Vice Adm. Robert Emperdrad and Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Adm. Giovanni Bacordo announced in a media press conference yesterday that the Philippine Navy is in need to retire the ships as they “have outlived their usefulness”, and for the crew to train in preparation of new ships.

But the dilemma here is that while the ships are retired, the fleet numbers are going down, which means less and less ships are available to patrol our seas.

Last time, MaxDefense posted a table comparing fleet numbers between 2010, 2019 and projections for 2020. It shows the numbers are far less in 2020 compared to 2010 as ships are being retired without an equivalent replacement.

Now let’s compare the Littoral assets of the Philippine Navy, between years 2010, 2019, and January 2020. In total, it appears that the quantity of assets are the same. But one has to remember than each of the boat classes are of different size and capability.

While we listed that two Kagitingan-class boats are still operational, it remains questionable if they are indeed operational due to their poor sustainment.

Despite the introduction of more Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts (MPAC) including 3 with missiles, they are not sufficient replacements for the larger boats like the Gen. Aguinaldo and Kagitingnan classes, which are far larger and more capable of staying longer at sea and operate at higher sea states.

Meanwhile, the MPAC is not capable of staying beyond 2-3 days at sea due to its tight space, lack of living quarters and proper toilet facilities, and needs to be back at port after every patrol.

In short, while the MPAC numbers are growing, they are not direct replacements for most of the retired assets. And while the PN is planning to acquire more MPACs and a fleet of 8 new Shaldag V fast attack crafts under the FAIC-M Acquisition Project, MaxDefense only expects these new assets to arrive beyond 2012.

The Philippine Navy should have made ways to not let this happen, by properly planning their acquisition priorities in sync with ship retirement plans.

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