Navy getting more anti-submarine helicopters

October 19, 2020

The Philippine Navy is buying more anti-submarine helicopters as it is planning two acquire two additional corvettes as part of the modernization  program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"The plan to acquire additional AW159s is connected to the plan also to acquire more platforms, for more ships. So you'll notice we will be having two Jose Rizal class frigates, (BRP Jose Rizal, FF) 150 and (BRP Antonio Luna FF) 151. That is the reason we have two AW159s, when our plan is to acquire two additional corvettes which is also an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) platform," Navy chief Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said in a virtual press briefing with the Defense Press Corps on Monday morning.

"Its all connected so that (AW) 159 will become organic to these Jose Rizal class frigates," he added.

Bacordo emphasized the importance of partnering the AW159 to the anti-submarine warfare ships of the Philippine Navy.

"The (AW) 159s operate in tandem with the ASW capable ship so the FF150 and FF151 are two AS anti-submarine warfare capable ships of the Navy. It should have AW159s to strengthen their ASW capability, they operate in tandem," he said.

Commodore Karl Decapia, commander of Offshore Combat Force of the Philippine Navy said the second Jose Rizal class frigate is expected to arrive next year.

"(BRP) Antonio Luna FF151 is expected to arrive in the Philippines late January of 2021 or early February of 2021," he said.

"It's exactly the same (as FF150), all sensors, communications, the technical capablity of 150 and 151 is exactly the same. In fact we call it twins. They are twin sisters," he added. Robina Asido/DMS