The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday announced that its second Hamilton-class cutter, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), is now waterborne with just a few minor works being done before commissioning.
"BRP Ramon Alcaraz is already waterborne with some minor works and finalization phases (being done)," Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said.
He expressed confidence that these works will be completed before the first week of November.
"(We) are coordinating with the Presidential Management Staff for the availability of the President. But for sure (the commissioning) will be next month (November)," Fabic stressed.
Earlier reports said that the BRP Ramon Alcaraz will be fitted with two Mark 38 Model 2 25-mm "Bushmasters" autocannon and four to six light machine guns will be fitted during the dry-docking period.
The ship went into dry-dock at the Keppel Shipyard in Batangas last Aug. 16.
It arrived in the Philippines last Aug. 6 after a two month voyage from the United States.
The Filipino frigate is presently armed with a quick-firing 76-mm Oto Melara main gun which has a range of 20 nautical miles. (PNA)
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