A U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell, a 378-foot cutter previously homeported in San Diego, was transferred to the Philippine Navy in July 21, 2016, during a ceremony held at Coast Guard Base Alameda in Alameda, California.
It is reported, the Andres Bonifacio FF-17 warship will undergo some maintenance and upgrade similar to BRP Ramon Alcaraz FF-16 and BRP Gregorio del Pilar FF-15.
It is expected the Philippine Government will spend similar to previous warship transfer which cost around Php 500 million pesos in 2012.
Previous Warship prior to turn-over to the Philippine Navy, the Hamilton-class cutters were armed with Mk.75 Oto Melara 76 mm Compact main gun, two Mk.38 M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun at midships, and a Phalanx CIWS system aft. Upon transfer the the Philippine Navy, CIWS and chain guns were removed with the Mk.75 gun remaining. The Philippine Navy then purchased two new Mk.38 Mod.2 25 mm Bushmaster Autocannons to replace the mounts removed.
A U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell WHEC-719 , a 378-foot cutter previously homeported in San Diego, was transferred to the Philippine Navy in July 21, 2016, during a ceremony held at Coast Guard Base Alameda in Alameda, California.
