Shipbucket

This will be my first attempt to create an AU thread and mainly focusing on the Philippine Navy and the Coast Guard. I will try to add some details for other AFP branches if time permits.

The starting point for this Philippines AU is in the year 2004 when a new Administration came to power.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

Philippine Navy
State of the Philippine Navy (beginning 2005)

*CTTO

Most capital warships of the Philippine Navy were already obsolete and none was capable of fighting a modern naval battle.
• 11 of the fifteen surface combatants were of WW2-era origin.
• The three former Royal Navy ships were considered as the most modern ships in the Fleet although they were only comparable to large patrol vessels if based on current standards.

Philippine Coast Guard
On the other hand, PCG recently received significant boost in its capability after it received 8 new patrol vessels between 2000 and 2004.

New Administration (2004-2010)
In July 2004, the new President pledged to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and improve its capabilities in performing territorial defense, internal security, and disaster relief missions.

AFP Modernization (RA7898): Horizon 3 Projects (2006-2011)
By early 2005, DND estimate, the AFP’s modernization program will cost slightly less than US$1.25 billion over the course of current Administration’s six-year term.

Philippine Navy
Jacinto-class Patrol Vessel (JCPV) Upgrade Phase 2 was a Marine Engineering Upgrade program aims to improve the ship’s main propulsion, electrical plant, and auxiliary systems.

Multi-role Vessel (MRV) Phase 1 was an acquisition of two brand-new amphibious warfare ships. The Defense Department decided that the procurement for two LPDs (landing platform dock) would be a government-to-government transaction with South Korea. The project was completed in May 2010 upon the delivery and commissioning of the second LPD.

Offshore Patrol Combatant was an acquisition of used warships capable of operating in open-ocean and performing extended patrol and surveillance. DND decided that it would be a government to government transaction after the President certified it as a high priority project. The refurbishment was performed in Spain and the delivery of the second ship was completed in February 2008.

Patrol-Killer-Medium Republic of Korea (PKM-ROK) Project was an acquisition of two ex-ROK Navy PKM fast patrol boats and upgrading the vessels’ platform system to improve ‘reliability, sustainability, safety, and capability’.

Littoral Patrol and Interdiction Vessel Phase 1 was an acquisition of two brand-new 60-meter patrol vessels capable of supporting maritime security operations within the 200-nautical mile EEZ. The vessels were to be deployed in Zamboanga and Davao.

Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC) Phase 1 was an acquisition of fast attack/assault craft similar to the capabilities of CB90.

Light Multipurpose Naval Helicopters was an acquisition of 4 brand-new light twin-engine helicopters for the Naval Air Group (NAG).

Amphibious Assault Vehicle Acquisition Project was an acquisition of 8 brand-new units of amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) for the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC).

Major projects included under the Bases and Support Systems Development for the Philippine Navy were:
1. Naval Base (NB) Cavite Development Project. The NB Cavite was envisioned to serve as the parent establishment for patrol vessels of the future Littoral Patrol Force. The base also berths the ships of the Service Force.
2. Naval Base (NB) Mactan Development Project. The NB Mactan was envisioned as new headquarters of the Philippine Fleet and the future Surface Combat and Sealift Amphibious Forces.
3. Naval Detachment Palawan Development Project. ND Palawan is currently being used as forward base for PN vessels visiting or operationally deployed in Palawan. The project was aimed to develop the base as western Philippines' key strategic naval operating base.
4. Naval Operating Base (NOB) Batu-Batu Development Project.

------------------
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) project was an acquisition of two locally-built patrol vessels to enhance the offshore response capability of the PCG. The vessels were to be deployed in Puerto Princesa and San Fernando (La Union).

RAFPMP Horizon 1
<Reserved>

RAFPMP Horizon 2

RAFPMP Horizon 3
<Reserved>

Datu-class Corvette


Overview
The Datu-class is a ship class of corvettes in service with the Philippine Navy. The ships were formerly used by the Spanish Navy as Descubierta-class corvettes

History
In August 2006, the Philippines and Spain announced that the proposed acquisition of two Descubierta corvettes under the Offshore Patrol Combatant Project was finalized and expected to be delivered within Q4 of CY2007 after refurbishing.

The refurbishment was awarded to Spanish state-owned shipbuilding company Navantia. It involved the reinforcement of the hull, overhaul and improvement of the main propulsion, installation of modern machinery control and monitoring system, installation of Furuno navigation equipment, repair of the 76mm Oto Melara Compact main gun, installation of four manually-operated 12.7mm heavy machine guns, and additional secure communications equipment that the Philippines requested as part of its transfer deal. In addition, the DND acquired four 6-meter rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIB) and undisclosed number of 76mm ammunition for the ships’ main gun.

The first ship BRP Datu Marikudo (PS-39) was delivered to the Philippines in November 2007, and commissioned on 07 December 2007.

General Characteristics
Displacement: 1,235 tons at standard load; 1,510 tons at full load
Length: 88.8 m
Beam: 10.4 m
Draft: 3.8 m (hull)
Propulsion:
4× MTU-Bazán 16V956 TB91 16-cylinder diesel engines, 3,945 bhp (2,942 kW) each
2× shaft lines
2× controllable-pitch propellers (CPP)
Speed: 25 knots (46.3 km/h)
Cruising Range: 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km) at 18 knots (33.3 km/h)
Economical Range: 7,500 nautical miles (13,900 km) at 12 knots (22.2 km/h)
Watercraft carried: 2× 6.0-meter RHIB
Crew: 90

Sensors and Processing Systems
1× Signaal DA-05 S-band (E/F-band) air surveillance radar
1× Signaal ZW-06 X-band (I-band) surface surveillance radar
2× Furuno X-band navigational radar
1× Radio direction finding equipment
1× Signaal WM-25 multi-channel fire-control system

Electronic Warfare and Countermeasures Dispensers
2× Mk36 SRBOC countermeasures launchers

Armament
1× Oto Melara 76mm/62 Compact Dual Purpose main naval gun
1× 20mm Mk.16 cannon on Mk.68 mount
4× 12.7mm heavy machine guns

Ships in Class
1. BRP Datu Marikudo (PS-39): commissioned on 07 December 2007
2. BRP Datu Tupas (PS-40): commissioned on 20 March 2008

Calamianes-class Offshore Patrol Vessel


Overview
The Calamianes-class is a ship class of offshore patrol vessels in service with the Philippine Coast Guard. The ships were named after island groups in the Philippines.

The patrol vessels were acquired under the Offshore Patrol Vessel project. The design was based on the 1,400-ton patrol vessel designed by a Korean shipbuilder and was built in the Philippines in collaboration with a local shipyard.

Design
The Calamianes-class patrol vessel was designed with a 28-day endurance and optimized for offshore patrol and response operations within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The deployment of these OPVs will also free up the four San Juan-class patrol vessels for mid-shore patrol operations.

General Characteristics
Displacement: 1,360 tons at full load
Length: 79.8 m (73.6 m at waterline)
Beam: 11.0 m
Depth: 7.0 m at main deck
Draft: 3.1 m
Propulsion:
2× Caterpillar C280-12 12-cylinder diesel engines, 5,445 bhp (4,060 kW) each
2× Reintjes SISO gearboxes
2× shaft lines
2× four-bladed fixed-pitch propellers (FPP)
Speed: 21 knots (38.9 km/h)
Range: 3,500 nautical miles (6,480 km) at 12 knots (22.2 km/h)
Provisions Endurance: 28 days
Watercraft carried: 2× 7.0-meter RHIB
Aviation facilities: Flight deck for one 7-ton helicopter

Sensors and Processing Systems
1× Furuno 200W S-band surface surveillance and navigational radar
1× Furuno 25kW X-band navigational radar
1× Electro-optical surveillance and tracking system
1× Radio direction finding equipment
Furuno GMDSS
Furuno Inmarsat B and C Satcom

Armament
1× 25-30mm main gun on foredeck (FFBNW)
4× 12.7mm heavy machine guns (manually operated)

Ships in Class
BRP Calamianes (OPV-8001): Commissioned on 14 October 2007
BRP Polillo (OPV-8002): Commissioned on 25 March 2008

Bulacan-class Landing Platform Dock


Overview
The Bulacan class is a class of landing platform docks (LPD) in service with the Philippine Navy. The ships were designed by Daesun based on the Indonesian Navy's Makassar class LPD.

History
The Defense Department started the negotiation for procurement of one or two landing platform docks with South Korea via government-to-government in late 2006 under the Multi-role Vessel (MRV) Phase 1 project. The contract was finalized in December 2007 for two landing platform docks based on Indonesian Navy’s Makassar-class designed by Daesun. The package include four units of 23-meter landing craft utility LCU-23 and eight units of 9.8-meter rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIB).

The first LPD was delivered in August 2009 while the second ship was delivered in April 2010.

General Characteristics
Displacement: 7,300 tons at standard load; 11,394 tons at full load
Length: 122.0 m
Beam: 22.0 m
Depth: 6.7m (tank deck); 11.3 m (truck deck)
Draft: 4.9 m (hull)
Propulsion: Combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) arrangement
2× MAN 8L28/32A 8-cylinder diesel engines, 2,628 bhp (1,960 kW) each
2× shaft lines
2× controllable-pitch propellers (CPP)
Speed: 16 knots (29.6 km/h)
Cruising Range: 10,000 nautical miles (18,500 km) at 13 knots (24.1 km/h)
Provisions Endurance: 30 days
Complement: 126 (crew)
Capacity: 500 embarked troops plus associated vehicles and equipment
Watercraft carried:
2× 23-meter LCU at floodable well deck
4× 9.8-meter RHIB
Aviation Facilities:
- Hangar for 1 medium (10-ton) helicopter
- Flight deck for 2 medium (10-ton) helicopters

Sensors and Processing Systems
1× Furuno S-band navigational radar
1× Furuno X-band navigational radar
1× 2D surface surveillance radar (FFBNW)
1× Radar fire-control director (FFBNW)
1× Electro-optical tracking system (FFBNW)

Electronic Warfare and Countermeasure Dispensers
1× Electronic support measures (ESM) system (FFBNW)
4× Countermeasures dispensers (FFBNW)

Armament
1× 40-76mm main gun (FFBNW)
2× 25-30mm secondary guns, one each on port and starboard sides (FFBNW)
6× 12.7mm heavy machine guns

Ships in Class
BRP Bulacan (LD-581): Commissioned on 17 September 2009
BRP Tarlac (LD-582): Commissioned on 11 May 2010

Ramon Alcaraz-class Patrol Vessel


Overview
The Ramon Alcaraz class is a class of patrol vessels in service with the Philippine Navy. Two vessels were acquired under the Littoral Patrol and Interdiction Vessel project in early 2006. The primary role of the vessels is patrol and interdiction surveillance in littoral and offshore zones. These ships also provide full mission support for PN’s special operations forces as well as provide limited transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies for both military and humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) operations.

Design
Based on the Danish Osprey patrol vessel design, the domestically-built Alcaraz vessels shares the same hull design but is about 8 meters longer. Other changes from the basic model include a helicopter flight deck located on the after end of the bridge deck, and a stern ramp for an 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB). A separate multipurpose area was included in the vessel's arrangement, which provides for the decompression chamber, medical reception, storage of packaged goods, and seating arrangement for up to 40 fully-equipped troops. Additional armor is fitted to vital areas such as the bridge and the command space.

General Characteristics
Displacement: 650 tons at full load
Length Overall: 62.3 m (57.9 m at waterline)
Beam: 10.5 m
Depth: 5.2 m at main deck
Design Draft: 2.6 m
Fuel Oil Capacity: 115,800 liters
Complement: 36 (crew) + 8 (seal team)
Capacity: 4 aircrew + 40 embarked troops
Watercraft carried:
1× 11.0-meter RHIB via stern ramp
2× RHIB (up to 5.4 meters) via deck crane
Aviation facilities: Flight deck for one (1) light helicopter (maximum weight of 10,800 lbs. / 4,900 kg)

Machineries
Main Propulsion:
2× Caterpillar C280-12 12-cylinder diesel engines, 5,444 bhp (4,060 kW) each
2× Reintjes SISO gearboxes
2× shaft lines
2× four-bladed fixed-pitch propellers (FPP)
Ship Service Generators:
3× Caterpillar 3406C inline 6-cylinder diesel generator sets, 320 ekW each
1× Caterpillar C6.6 ACERT emergency generator, 113 ekW

Performance
Speed: 24 knots (44.4 km/h) at 90% MCR
Range: 3,000 nautical miles (5,550 km) at 15 knots (27.8 km/h)
Provisions Endurance: 20 days
Seakeeping:
Sustained Patrol and Surveillance: Sea State 5 (seas rough, waves from 2.5 to 4.0 meters)
Helicopter Launch and Recovery: Sea State 3 (waves up to 1.25 meters)

Sensors and Processing Systems
Saab 9LV Compact Combat Management System (CMS)
1× Terma Scanter 2001 X-band surface surveillance radar (12-ft antenna)
1× Sperry Marine 30kW S-band navigational radar (9-ft antenna)
1× Sperry Marine 25kW X-band navigational radar (6-ft antenna)
1× Saab EOS-500 electro-optical tracking system
1× Radio direction finding equipment
GMDSS

Electronic Warfare and Countermeasure Dispensers
1× Electronic support measures (ESM) system (FFBNW)
2× Countermeasures dispensers (FFBNW)

Armament
1× Oto Melara 76mm/62 Compact Dual Purpose main naval gun
1× MSI Defence DS25 remote-controlled weapon system
4× 12.7mm heavy machine guns (manually operated)

Ships in Class
1. BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-150): commissioned in April 2008
2. BRP Francisco Dagohoy (PS-151): commissioned in October 2008