2 Maestrale Class will be Acquired from italy in 2013 at a cost of P11.7 Billion ($275 Million) for both and will be heavily armed ...
Philippine Navy buying 2 Italian warships | ABS-CBN News
Philippine Navy buying 2 Italian warships
ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 08/02/2012 6:01 PM | Updated as of 08/02/2012 6:01 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Two Italian warships are set to strengthen the Philippines' maritime defense capabilities, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Thursday.
Gazmin said the Philippine Navy is buying the P11.7-billion Maestrale class-frigates , which have anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weaponry.
The move is part of the Armed Forces' modernization program, the defense chief said at a forum in Camp Aguinaldo.
"These frigates are warships. These have anti-air, sub-surface, they have anti-submarine (capabilities). What we are getting are really meant for war," Gazmin said.
The frigates, which were commissioned in the 1980s, are being used by the Italian Navy.
He said the Navy is waiting for the approval of contract that is expected to be signed in January 2013.
The ships will then be delivered by November after they are refurbished.
"These are operational. They are being used by the Italian Navy. They will be refurbished and overhauled," Gazmin said.
The Philippine Navy bought a Hamilton-class cutter from the US Coast Guard for about P400 million last year. A similar vessel is expected to be delivered to the Navy within the next few month.
