MANILA, Philippines - Two warships will be purchased for the Navy to boost maritime security.
In a phone interview yesterday, Peter Galvez, Department of National Defense spokesman, said the acquisition is being fast-tracked.
“We’re giving ourselves until the end of the first quarter to finalize bidding for the frigates,†he said. “We are confident that we can follow the timeline and we can do it within the first quarter.â€
Earlier, defense officials said about P11.7 billion would be allotted for the warships.
Originally, the government had intended to
acquire the vessels through government-to-government transactions. However, offers from different countries had prompted senior security officials to opt for public bidding.
A government-to-government transaction is usually faster than public bidding.
However, the DND is optimistic that the acquisition of the vessels would not be delayed.
Earlier, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said public bidding would ensure transparency and allow the comparison of the ships being offered.
DefenseUndersecretary Fernando Manalo earlier said about six countries have offered to provide frigates to the Navy. Among them are the US, South Korea, Spain, Israel, Croatia and Australia.
These countries are cognizant of the government’s determination to upgrade the military’s capabilities, Manalo said.
Previously, Italy offered two Maestrale-class missile-firing warships with anti-aircraft, anti-ship and anti-submarine capabilities.
The Philippines has acquired two warships from the US.
The BRP Gregorio del Pilar arrived last year and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz is expected by April.