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PCG to receive 40 fast patrol vessels from France, five 97-meter ships from Japan

Philippines | National

PCG to receive 40 fast patrol vessels from France, five 97-meter ships from Japan

By Aaron Recuenco

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be receiving at least 40 fast patrol crafts (FPCs) from France, the vessels are expected to further improve the country’s response capabilities in search and rescue operations, environmental protection, maritime law enforcement, and disaster response.

This developed as PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan also disclosed that President Marcos has approved the acquisition of five 97-meter ships from Japan.

Gavan said that once the five ships from Japan are delivered, the PCG will have a total of eight large patrol ships.

On the other hand, Gavan said the 40 units of 35-meter fast patrol crafts cost P25.8 billion and be funded through the official development assistance (ODA) from the French government.

Marcos earlier approved the acquisition which involved the assembly of the first 20 FPCs in France, while the remaining 20 vessels were locally assembled in the Philippines.

He said the additional of 40 fast crafts will quadruple the current PCG fleet.

“It is the largest single purchase so far in the modernization of the PCG. It is a game-changer for us. It will enable the Coast Guard to have at least two patrol boats in every district fast enough to reach the edges of our exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” Gavan said.

“These FPCs will position the Philippines as the youngest fleet in Southeast Asia,” he added.

Aside from patrolling against maritime crimes such as smuggling, drug trafficking, piracy, and illegal fishing, Gavan said the 40 FPCs will also be deployed for West Philippine Sea response as well as search and rescue, surveillance operations and maritime protection.

“This will form part of the force mix that we need to address threats [in the West Philippine Sea] and all forms of maritime crimes,” he said.

Related Tags

Philippine Coast Guard

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