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)
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
-
US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
-
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
Australia commissions HMAS Arafura three-and-a-half years behind schedule
The Royal Australian Navy has finally commissioned the first Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel – more than three years behind schedule – highlighting the programme’s delays, design compromises and ongoing industrial restructuring.
-
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.