PCG welcomes last 44-meter vessel from Japan
In 2018, the 10th ship of the Philippine Coast Guard 44-meter multi-role response vessels from Japan arrived in the country. The arrival and commissioning of this vessel represent the end of a two-year commissioning process for the whole class of new vessels.
The vessels will have a standard cruising speed of 25 knots and a range of 1,500 nautical miles. This ship procurement was funded around 85 percent by Japanese government assistance through JICA agency.
PCG soon to be biggest patrol ships
In February 2020, the Philippines and Japan sign a contract for the two biggest vessels for the Philippine Coast Guard. Both vessels will be equipped with secured communication systems for Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, helideck with a hangar for helicopter operations, an underwater remotely operated vehicle for subsurface search and survey, and high-speed rubber boats.
With a length of about 94 meters, the MRRVs will have a maximum speed of not less than 24 knots and an endurance of not less than 4,000 nautical miles. The two ships are expected to contribute significantly to improving the speed of response to maritime accidents and crimes on the high seas.
The 6.7 billion pesos contract for the Philippine Coast Guard Ship was part of a series of vessels being acquired by the country under the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase II. The vessels are expected to be delivered to the PCG by 2022.
Philippine Coast Guard 15 Meter patrol boat from Japan
In November 2019, The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had received a 15-meter patrol boat and an x-ray inspection machine from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.
The patrol boat has a capacity of up to 14 crew, the speed at 29 knots (53 kilometers per hour), and suitable for quick-response operations and retrieval missions. It is also capable of accosting alleged terrorists, intruders, and poachers within the Philippine territory.
Gabriela Silang (OPV 270) from France
In April 2020, BRP Gabriela Silang arrived in the Philippines. This ship is described as “the world’s largest aluminum OPV” by French shipbuilder OCEA. Upon commissioning, the BRP Gabriela Silang will carry out maritime security and safety missions under the responsibility of the Philippine Coast Guard.
The main characteristics of the OPV 270 are as follows:
- Overall length : 84.00 m
- Range : 8000 nm @ 12 kts
- Endurance : 5 weeks
- Speed : 22.0 knots
- Crew : 40 sailors
- Passenger and VIP : 26 persons
- Survivors room: 35 persons
Being the largest vessel of the PCG, Gabriela Silang can ferry up to 500 persons.
FPB 72 MKII fast patrol boat from France
OCEA shipyards was selected in 2014 for the supply of 5 boats at civil standards, with the associated logistic support services: 4 fast-patrol boats of 24 m type OCEA FPB 72 MKII and 1 offshore patrol vessel of 84 m type OCEA OPV 270.
The two last Fast Patrol Boat type OCEA FPB 72 MKII “MALAMAWI” and “KALANGGAMAN” delivered to the Philippines Coast Guards in December 2018 and commissioned in January 2019. The patrol boats were acquired through an agreement between the Department of Transportation and French shipbuilder OCEA on September 9, 2014.
FPB 72 MKII is a 24-meter fast patrol boat with a maximum speed of 28 nautical miles per hour and a capacity for 12 crew members and 16 passengers. The overall acquisition cost is P5.142 billion, including the OPV-8301 (OPV 270), an 82-meter Offshore Patrol Vessel.
Philippine Coast Guard Helicopter
In 2018, the Philippine Coast Guard placed an order of two Airbus H145 helicopters worth P685 million each from Germany. 1st order was in July 2018, and the second-order was in November 2018.
The helicopter is a 4-tonne-class twin-engine helicopter design and equipped with high-frequency radios, emergency flotation gear, fast roping, cargo sling, searchlight, and electro-optical systems to perform critical missions including search and rescue, medical evacuation, maritime patrol, and law enforcement.
The Coast Guard is currently using one of these aircraft to conduct its duty. This aerial asset were purchased under the Coast Guard’s Light to Medium Multi-Purpose Twin Engine Helicopter Acquisition Project.
