Topic: New Frigates on order,most heavily armed ships of PN

[A7x]

MANILA — Should the Department of National Defense (DND)'s P18-billion frigate program come into a successful conclusion, the two ships will be the most heavily armed vessels in Philippine Navy (PN) service.

Technical specifications obtained by MaxDefense: Philippines, a blogsite for Philippine defense related matters, revealed that the ships, at minimum, will be armed with:

-76mm gun at forward section with target tracking radar and/or electro-optical target acquisition and fire control computer;

-one stabilized secondary gun;

-four . 50-caliber machine guns;

-primary and secondary guns shall be integrated to combat management system;

four surface-to-surface missile launchers, minimum 50km range, active homing seeker and ECCM capability;

-surface-to-air missile launching system, minimum quadruple launcher, minimum 6km range, IR or semi-active homing seeker, with ECCM and/or IR CCM capability;

-anti-submarine torpedoes, minimum range 2km, minimum depth 500m, with acoustic countermeasures capability, two triple launchers (one on each side).

With these armaments, the ships will be capable of engaging any aerial, surface and sub-surface threats that may intrude in Philippine territory.

At present, the most potent weapon system in PN service is the 76mm Oto Melara main gun and Mark 38 Model 2 25 mm "Bushmaster" auto-cannon fitted in the Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates and Emilio Jacinto class patrol vessels.

Earlier, PN Patrol Force head Commodore Jose Renan C. Suarez said that the two frigates will be the most capable yet in Philippine service due to its capability to detect and engage airborne, surface and underwater threats simultaneously.

Suarez said that these ships are part of the PN's "Navy Frigate Program" which has a timeline of 2013 to 2017.

He added that these ships are designed with numerous upgrades cycle to ensure that they will remain relevant and competitive against new vessels coming in line.

Suarez said that these ships will greatly enhance PN's capabilities to defend the country's vast maritime territories. (PNA)

http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/news/78112-New-frigates-on-order,-most-heavily-armed-ships-of-PN.html

[freeyourmind]

thats what u get with the PN budget. seems like this is the cheapest of the frigates. because it is, even the 5km range torpedo is ridiculous.

[tigerwing]

this is pathetic. 

50km range for ASMs, 6km for SAMs and 2km for torps? With this kind of weapons we might as well consider the ship as a glorified off-shore patrol vessel instead of a true "Frigate". I know its just the "minimum" requirement but given our financial capabilities, if this pushes trough, we'll probably get something close to the "minimum" anyway.

If this is all we can get for 18-Billion pesos, I think its much better to just use the money to upgrade the two Hamiltons that we already have. Or perhaps beg the Italians to reconsider the Maestrale offer.. Heck, getting more secondhand oversized gunboats with nothing but a 76mm Oto Melara as weapons and basic sensors would probably still be a better deal..

Wag na sanang ipag pilitang brand new kung hindi din naman pala kayang bumili ng dekalidad na barko.

Disappointing......