The Philippine Navy is in the process of acquiring 2 brand new Strategic Sealift Vessels valued at P4 billion. This is an expensive and long-term process.
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| Hamilton class overview WHEC-719 (USCG Photo) |
A faster and cheaper alternative is to buy more Hamilton class ships from the U.S. A crucial bonus is the additional deterrence capabilities of the 76mm Oto Melaras. This alternative will develop and enhance the Naval Shipyard and local shipyards capabilities, and lead to more fleet uniformity resulting in maintenance efficiencies. Also, the initial annual cash outlays will be much lower and extended over a longer time period.
Though it will be able to carry less cargo, with an older but still maintainable platform and with higher maintenance cost, these Hamilton class vessels after some modifications, can be excellent Multi Purpose Support Vessels.
This can be similar to the concept of the Absalon class of the Denmark Navy that is specially designed as a Multi Purpose Support Vessel from the beginning but very expensive. The Hamilton class alternative is way much cheaper by a large magnitude and will have maybe just 60% of its capabilities. And it's what we can afford given the catching up we have to do on multiple fronts after more than 20 years of negligence on our defense posture.
Though it will be able to carry less cargo, with an older but still maintainable platform and with higher maintenance cost, these Hamilton class vessels after some modifications, can be excellent Multi Purpose Support Vessels.
This can be similar to the concept of the Absalon class of the Denmark Navy that is specially designed as a Multi Purpose Support Vessel from the beginning but very expensive. The Hamilton class alternative is way much cheaper by a large magnitude and will have maybe just 60% of its capabilities. And it's what we can afford given the catching up we have to do on multiple fronts after more than 20 years of negligence on our defense posture.
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| Danish Navy HDMS Absalon (L16) Command and Support Ship (MilitaryFactory.com) |
Based on a US Congressional Research Service report dated July 2013, there will be "decommissioning of two cutters in fiscal year 2014." That will be three in addition to the USCG Gallatin by 2014, a much faster pace than two new SSV's with no contract yet. This 3 more Hamilton class vessels is feasible given the moves of the US for more access to bases in the Philippines.
PN can possibly have 3 Hamilton class cutters as Multi Purpose Support Vessels for P2 billion already modified, based on the costing of the 2 PF's acquired. That leaves P2 billion for the uparming of the 2 PF's. The net result is having 2 Frigates supported by 3 MPSV's instead of just 2 new SSV's.
This can be implemented by the Naval Shipyard in cooperation with local shipyards and engineering companies by:
1. Utilizing the aft area helicopter deck and hangar for vehicles and heavy cargo, by installing a moveable ramp
2. Removal of the turbine power train for more weight and volume capacity
3. Provision for 2 fiberglass LCVP's and/or MPAC's, or more, near the 2 RHIB cranes for ship to shore transport of troops, vehicles and cargo
4. Identify passenger accommodation areas throughout the ship
5. Additional heavy lift crane in the aft area for cargo handling
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| Hamilton class Rush WHEC-723 aft (USCG Photo) |
The Navy should concentrate on Capable Low-Cost Immediate solutions that will immediately increase its capabilities, not on expensive, new and medium/long term solutions. We have to stand up our own strong independent posture yesterday and not depend on foreign powers that degrade our Independence and Sovereignty.
Spending P2 billion to get 3 additional Hamilton class vessels to convert to Multi Purpose Support Vessels will leave a balance of P2 billion to upgrade the defensive capabilities of the 2 Hamilton class vessels used as Patrol Frigates. This may be used for ASM, SAM and torpedoes to insure survival in a wartime scenario. The MPSV's can be uparmed later with better defensive weapons to support the PF versions.
This Multi Purpose Support Vessel concept is a return to the first destroyer of the Philippine Navy, the RPS Rajah Soliman (D-66) which was the former USS Bowers (DE-637). The Bowers was converted later, before transfer to the PN, to a Charles Lawrence-class high speed transport (APD) and was redesignated as APD-40.
As an APD, it was able to carry 12 Officers, and 150 Enlisted men; 4 LCVP's; 6 Jeeps; 2 1-ton trucks; 4 Ammunition carts; 4 Pack howitzers. Ammunition capacity is 6,000 cubic feet. General cargo capacity is 3,500 cubic feet. Gasoline capacity is 1,000 cubic feet. (http://destroyerhistory.org/de/apd/)
The Hamilton class vessels are more than twice as large as the Destroyer Escorts that were converted into APD (Auxiliary Personnel Destroyer) high speed transports. Hamilton class cutters are 3,250 tons and 115 meters long while the converted Destroyer Escorts are 1,400 tons and 93 meters long. The Hamilton class has better transport capability potential.
This is a better path for the Navy to stand up a credible naval defense FASTER and at a LOWER COST. The Philippines has to be wiser and better given its very much lower financial resources.
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Hamilton class PF-16 BRP Alcaraz (Roy Van Morales Photo)
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Spending P2 billion to get 3 additional Hamilton class vessels to convert to Multi Purpose Support Vessels will leave a balance of P2 billion to upgrade the defensive capabilities of the 2 Hamilton class vessels used as Patrol Frigates. This may be used for ASM, SAM and torpedoes to insure survival in a wartime scenario. The MPSV's can be uparmed later with better defensive weapons to support the PF versions.
+Sep61.jpg) |
| Philippine Navy DE RPS Rajah Soliman (D-66) Sep. 1961 (Wikipedia) |
This Multi Purpose Support Vessel concept is a return to the first destroyer of the Philippine Navy, the RPS Rajah Soliman (D-66) which was the former USS Bowers (DE-637). The Bowers was converted later, before transfer to the PN, to a Charles Lawrence-class high speed transport (APD) and was redesignated as APD-40.
As an APD, it was able to carry 12 Officers, and 150 Enlisted men; 4 LCVP's; 6 Jeeps; 2 1-ton trucks; 4 Ammunition carts; 4 Pack howitzers. Ammunition capacity is 6,000 cubic feet. General cargo capacity is 3,500 cubic feet. Gasoline capacity is 1,000 cubic feet. (http://destroyerhistory.org/de/apd/)
The Hamilton class vessels are more than twice as large as the Destroyer Escorts that were converted into APD (Auxiliary Personnel Destroyer) high speed transports. Hamilton class cutters are 3,250 tons and 115 meters long while the converted Destroyer Escorts are 1,400 tons and 93 meters long. The Hamilton class has better transport capability potential.
+Philippine+Herald+-+Feb.+11,1963+goriob2.jpg) |
| RPS Rajah Soliman D-66 ex-USS Bowers (APD-40) (PN Photo, Phil. Herald - 11Feb1963, goriob2) |
This is a better path for the Navy to stand up a credible naval defense FASTER and at a LOWER COST. The Philippines has to be wiser and better given its very much lower financial resources.
