October arrival of Navy’s second missile firing frigate resked to first quarter 2021

August 11, 2020

The arrival  of BRP Antonio Luna, the Philippine Navy's second missile firing frigate, and other assets will be delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a virtual forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP)  on Monday, Philippine Navy chief Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said the frigate was supposed to arrive in October but in the first quarter of 2021.

"We are expecting the delivery of 2nd frigate that is the BRP Antonio Luna, 1st quarter calendar year 2021. If not for this COVID-19 pandemic, this second frigate should have been delivered October this year,'' said Bacordo.

Bacordo said the arrival of the eight fast attack interdiction craft will also be delayed.

"The first of this fast attack interdicton craft should have been delivered on December this year.  So what will happen now is that the first will be delivered on the 1st quarter of calendar year 2022," he said.

Bacordo said there are other projects which may be deferred because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We have other projects like the shore base, anti-ship missile system, the shore base air defense system, the submarine which took back stage because of the COVID-19 pandemic.While it has approved  by the President it may be deferred until the national emergency has ceased," he said. Robina Asido/DMS