The pandemic has hit our economy hard with scores unemployed and businesses reeling. Government is scrapping for cash given falling revenues while slashing spending and the natural casualty of the cuts would be spending on defense. Although still essential and all the more relevant given our current situation in the West Philippine Sea, I see why government should prioritize spending on social services over new military hardware. The planned corvette acquisition is one project that will likely be delayed as funds are diverted away from defense, shutting the door on hopefuls for a more powerful surface combatant in the near term. What complicates matters is that the probable transfer of South Korean hardware is also on hold as the proposed "donation" of more Pohang class corvettes was supposedly contingent on the purchase of more ships from Korea's HHI..
What now?
With the Corvette acquisition delayed to Horizon 3 and the donation of additional SK Navy Pohang corvettes also on ice, perhaps the Navy can still request for a short term band aid fix to the solution to not break the bank in terms of spending but at the same time upgrade its capabilities in the West Philippine Sea. Up-gunning the existing fleet and decking out the newly-acquired Rizal class light frigates would be a good place to start.
Fully arm the Rizal class frigates
The newly-minted Rizal class frigates give the PN a breath of fresh air, bringing modern weaponry and the first purpose built ships to the Philippines in a long time. Despite all the fanfare of the Rizals being missile guided frigates, they may be considered light weights in terms of punching power. Sure they cover the bases in terms of armament: carrying anti-ship, anti-sub, anti-air weapons, the Rizals however won't do much damage in any of these categories as currently fitted. One cost effective project would be to fully deck out the Rizals with the planned 8-cell vertical launching system (VLS) and installing the close in weapon system.
The VLS will upgrade the light frigates to maximum capability and increase versatility given that the VLS can carry most missiles and even torpedoes like the South Korean red shark. The PN can also install the planned close in weapons systems (CIWS) to ensure that the two prized (light) Rizal frigates can survive a firefight. Korea is designing a new CIWS or perhaps PN can consider the Aselsan CIWS and this could be an option going forward. Lastly, the PN can consider having its Thales Towed Array Sonar installed on BRP Antonio Luna from the get go when shes delivered in 1q 2021 with the BRP Rizal getting its TASS soon after.
Upgrading the Del Pilar OPVs
The Del Pilars are currently lined up for some upgrades to its sensors and equipment as a consolation prize when the PN opted to downgrade the previously classified frigates to patrol vessels given their lack of modern armament. With the pandemic scuttling the dream corvette acquisition for the time being, perhaps the PN should rethink this strategy. Upgrading the Del Pilar OPVs to fighting form may be a cost effective way to increase the Navy's presence in the region as the economy recovers from the pandemic.
In any case, if the PN does spend on these upgrades, the new armaments can be transferred to future PN ships (maybe even the future corvettes) when budgetary constraints ease up or when the Del Pilars finally retire.
Push for a 4th Hamilton Cutter
With tensions flaring up between the US and China again, perhaps we can lobby for a 4th Hamilton cutter to help augment our fleet in the near term. Currently there’s only 1 Hamilton cutters left in active service, the USCGC Douglas Munro (not to be confused with the Legend class USCGC Munro), scheduled for decommissioning in the near term as the US Coast guard builds the new Heritage offshore patrol cutters.
Perhaps Mike Pompeo can be convinced to send over the USCGC Munro to help arm a still semi-friendly ally in the Philippines against the clear and present China threat.
If we do get a 4th Hamilton, transition would be almost seamless given that we have several officers and crew already familiar with ships in its class. The US will likely strip her of most of the weapons, with the Phalanx CIWS likely a goner but at least this would leave the PN with one more ship that could take a relatively short time to recondition and prepare for patrols.
Maxdefense laid out a template for the upgrade to prevent the Del Pilar downgrade and we could perhaps chose to fill out this template now that the corvette purchase has been pushed back by at least 3-5 years.
Here are some armaments that PN can possibly equip our Del Pilar OPVs with, in order of priority:
a) 2 twin SIMBAD-RC Mistral missile launchers for short range air defense ($1.5 million each)
b) 2 RCWS like MK 38 Mod 3 or Aselsan Stop Midships on BRP Andres Bonifacio ($1 mn each)
c) 1 RCWS MSI Sigma or MK Mod 3 with Spike NLOS Aft ($5.2 million)
Here are some armaments that PN can possibly equip our Del Pilar OPVs with, in order of priority:
a) 2 twin SIMBAD-RC Mistral missile launchers for short range air defense ($1.5 million each)
b) 2 RCWS like MK 38 Mod 3 or Aselsan Stop Midships on BRP Andres Bonifacio ($1 mn each)
c) 1 RCWS MSI Sigma or MK Mod 3 with Spike NLOS Aft ($5.2 million)
additionally the PN can also consider
d) 2 SEA J+S triple torpedo launchers (??)
e) 2 twin C-star missile launchers (??)
The RCWS are relatively inexpensive and should easily be thrown in the mix, hopefully with BRP Alcaraz and BRP Bonifacio getting an Aselsan Smash or the MSI Sigma positioned aft to act as a secondary gun. The MSI Sigma (pictured below) is a 30mm canon paired with a couple of Martlet missiles to pack a little more punch and should be considered even to replace the MK Mod 0 aft on the BRP Del Pilar.
Alternatively, Israel's Rafael can offer an upgrade to the MK 3 Mod2/3 weapons platform, slapping on a pair of Spike missiles to the weapons mount alongside a 25mm canon, a cheap way to double up the Del Pilar’s anti ship capability real quick. The Spike NLOS would be a better option given the extended range of these missiles (25 km vs 8 km for the Martlet).
These improvements and upgrades may not be enough to garner the Del Pilars status as frigates officially but installing the Mistral launchers and tacking on the torpedo tubes would expand its capabilities on the cheap.
The Simbad-RC Mistral launchers "shore up" the ship’s SHORAD while having torpedoes on board fully utilizes the planned on-hull sonar. Additional remote control weapon systems mounted midships will beef up surface and air defense at a modest price tag while an additional MSI Sigma or MK 38 Mod 3 with the Spike NLOS launchers located aft would help the Del Pilars deliver a little more venom.
The Simbad-RC Mistral launchers "shore up" the ship’s SHORAD while having torpedoes on board fully utilizes the planned on-hull sonar. Additional remote control weapon systems mounted midships will beef up surface and air defense at a modest price tag while an additional MSI Sigma or MK 38 Mod 3 with the Spike NLOS launchers located aft would help the Del Pilars deliver a little more venom.
Max defense had suggested up-gunning the Oto Melara main cannon to the newer Super Rapid with STRALES system but perhaps that's something they can skip to save on costs.
PN could also consider installing a CIWS to also increase the Del Pilars' ability to survive a firefight but give the price tag ($11-16 million) that too may be out of the picture. Having 3 RCWS on board can masquerade as a form of missile defense while the Simbad-RC Mistral launchers should help in this department as well.
Meanwhile, twin C-star anti-ship launchers would be ideal to push out the Del Pilar’s strike range to 150 kilometers but I’m not optimistic this will be approved so the Spike NLOS with a range of 25 km paired with a 30 mm canon may have to suffice as the Del Pilars' missile armament.
In any case, if the PN does spend on these upgrades, the new armaments can be transferred to future PN ships (maybe even the future corvettes) when budgetary constraints ease up or when the Del Pilars finally retire.
Push for a 4th Hamilton Cutter
With tensions flaring up between the US and China again, perhaps we can lobby for a 4th Hamilton cutter to help augment our fleet in the near term. Currently there’s only 1 Hamilton cutters left in active service, the USCGC Douglas Munro (not to be confused with the Legend class USCGC Munro), scheduled for decommissioning in the near term as the US Coast guard builds the new Heritage offshore patrol cutters.
If we do get a 4th Hamilton, transition would be almost seamless given that we have several officers and crew already familiar with ships in its class. The US will likely strip her of most of the weapons, with the Phalanx CIWS likely a goner but at least this would leave the PN with one more ship that could take a relatively short time to recondition and prepare for patrols.
The BRP Ramon Alcaraz was decommissioned from US service on 30 March 2012 and entered Philippine service by November 2013 so if we do get hold of the retired USCGC Munro, we could have her ready to sail as early as 1Q 2022. An additional hull via the USCGC Hamilton route would be a cost effective stop gap measure until we can finally get hold of the planned HHI corvettes and the targeted new OPVs which were expected to be awarded to Austal.
The 4th (AL-EX-AN-D! ER we are meant to be!) Hamilton cutter can also be outfitted with new armaments during its rehabilitation and reconditioning to get it ready to patrol the West Philippine sea. Given that a 4th Hamilton cutter will not be included in the ongoing equipment upgrade (no sonar or CMS) of her 3 sister ships, upgrades to the armament may center on the following:
a) 2 twin SPIMM or SIMBAD-RC anti-air missile launchers for SHORAD ($1.5 million each)
b) 2 RCWS like MK38 Mod 3 25 mm guns or similar, midships ($1 million each)
The 4th (AL-EX-AN-D! ER we are meant to be!) Hamilton cutter can also be outfitted with new armaments during its rehabilitation and reconditioning to get it ready to patrol the West Philippine sea. Given that a 4th Hamilton cutter will not be included in the ongoing equipment upgrade (no sonar or CMS) of her 3 sister ships, upgrades to the armament may center on the following:
a) 2 twin SPIMM or SIMBAD-RC anti-air missile launchers for SHORAD ($1.5 million each)
b) 2 RCWS like MK38 Mod 3 25 mm guns or similar, midships ($1 million each)
c) 1 RCWS like MK38 Mod 3 30mm canon with Spike NLOS (shown below) or MSI Sigma positioned aft where the Phalanx was originally mounted ($5.2 million).
A cheaper alternative for a secondary gun would be the Aselsan Smash, which is fitted on the Rizal class frigates at a friendlier price tag of $4.5 million sans the missile launchers, though.
Total cost of $10-11 million to upgrade the potential fourth Hamilton cutter.
If the 4th Del Pilar can’t mount the Simbad-RC launchers due to lack of a proper combat management system, the PN can install the SPIMM Mistral module (pictured below) a stand alone system that incorporates the Simbad-RC twin launchers with a small command center attached to the launchers.
Short term rearming
Given the budget constraints amidst the need to shore up capability, upgrading the Del Pilar OPVs, fully outfitting the 2 Rizals and getting our hands on an additional Hamilton cutter will help the PN assemble a decent Philippine flotilla in as short as 2 years time.
The PN could have 2 fully decked out light Rizal frigates, 4 up-gunned Del Pilar patrol vessels, an ex-Pohang class corvette and 3 Jacinto class OPVs. The cost to upgrade armaments on the Del Pilars, purchase a hand-me-down Hamilton and fully deck out the Rizals will likely be much less than the Php28 bn allocated for the corvettes while the new weapons can always be transferred to the planned corvettes when we do get the funds to buy them, eventually. The short term rearming strategy will help the PN skirt the budget constraints, improve capability immediately while also safeguarding the long term goals of full modernization with all the new armaments transferable to future naval assets.
Given the budget constraints amidst the need to shore up capability, upgrading the Del Pilar OPVs, fully outfitting the 2 Rizals and getting our hands on an additional Hamilton cutter will help the PN assemble a decent Philippine flotilla in as short as 2 years time.
The PN could have 2 fully decked out light Rizal frigates, 4 up-gunned Del Pilar patrol vessels, an ex-Pohang class corvette and 3 Jacinto class OPVs. The cost to upgrade armaments on the Del Pilars, purchase a hand-me-down Hamilton and fully deck out the Rizals will likely be much less than the Php28 bn allocated for the corvettes while the new weapons can always be transferred to the planned corvettes when we do get the funds to buy them, eventually. The short term rearming strategy will help the PN skirt the budget constraints, improve capability immediately while also safeguarding the long term goals of full modernization with all the new armaments transferable to future naval assets.
Five years time with no upgrades to our fleet will put us at a severe disadvantage given the increased intrusion in the West Philippine sea and the modest cost to rearm the fleet and pickup an additional hull will be money well spent to beef up on existing assets until the planned HHI corvettes and Austal OPVs come sailing in hopefully in 2025.
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