Philippine Navy narrows its renewed search for OPVs
A screengrab from ASFAT’s promotional video for its OPV, as shown at ADAS 2022 in Manila in late April. (ASFAT)
The ADAS 2022 exhibition in Manila threw up some updates on the Philippine Navy's quest for half a dozen OPVs.
After ditching a plan to buy six OPVs from Austal in March, the Philippine Navy (PN) spread its net farther afield to find a bidder willing to provide the required number of vessels within the PHP30 billion ($576 million) budget.
Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana explained that price was the sticking point with Austal.
‘Pending our approval of the contract for the purchase, they said the cost has increased – materials, labour and everything,' Lorenzana explained.
'They asked for additional payment. I think our budget is PHP30 billion, so they want PHP12 billion more for the six OPVs, or they said we
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Is South Korea finally being taken seriously for Western submarine programmes?]()
Is South Korea finally being taken seriously for Western submarine programmes?
South Korean shipbuilders are beginning to make their mark beyond Asia, competing for major North American and European submarine programmes and becoming serious contenders on a global scale.
-
![AUKUS Pillar 2 could narrow focus to “four key areas” says UK official]()
AUKUS Pillar 2 could narrow focus to “four key areas” says UK official
Few concrete ideas have emerged so far on which “advanced capabilities” will be brought forward under Pillar 2 of the AUKUS partnership, but the Pentagon’s review of the programme could bring more clarity.
-
![Sweden’s decision on four new warships inches closer as it eyes UK, France and Spain]()
Sweden’s decision on four new warships inches closer as it eyes UK, France and Spain
Sweden decided last year that it wanted a significantly larger warship for its Luleå Class programme than originally planned, with three likely contenders that could potentially deliver within the country’s tight schedule.
-
![How the use of artificial intelligence will affect the US Coast Guard’s acquisitions]()
How the use of artificial intelligence will affect the US Coast Guard’s acquisitions
The USCG is pursuing AI tools to improve the way the service conducts its procurement and fielding processes.
-
![US Coast Guard prepares procurement of next-gen surface search radar]()
US Coast Guard prepares procurement of next-gen surface search radar
The NXSSR will replace five in-service capabilities and be the US Coast Guard’s primary collision avoidance system.
-
![MBDA-led DragonFire’s latest trials move the LDEW system closer to UK Navy integration]()
MBDA-led DragonFire’s latest trials move the LDEW system closer to UK Navy integration
The DragonFire lines up with other European laser-directed energy weapons being developed in collaboration with MBDA.
