Philippines Needs 48 Fighter Jets, 6 Mini Submarines - Report

[trikora88]

By Jose Katigbak, STAR Washington Bureau (The Philippine Star) Updated May 05, 2012 12:00

WASHINGTON – The Philippines needs up to four squadrons (48) of upgraded Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets, more well-armed frigates and corvette-size, fast to surface combatant vessels and minesweepers and four to six mini submarines, possibly obtained from Russia, to build a credible defense force in the face of China’s increasing belligerence in the South China Sea, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) said.

This level of capability would far exceed current Philippine planning and finances and it would be in Washington’s interest to make it easier for Manila to acquire excess US fighters, frigates and other weapons system and encourage other countries such as Japan and South Korea to help modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), it said in an article “Defending the Philippines: Military modernization and the challenges ahead.”

The CNAS article on Thursday written by Richard Fisher said the AFP’s modernization program was estimated to cost about $1 billion over the course of President Aquino’s six-year term – an amount that pales in comparison to China’s 2012 official military budget of more than $100 billion.

Full article: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx...bCategoryId=63

[Nightsky]

Nope. The Philippines just need to convey the political message to be on the US side. The US will do the rest. Geostrategic policy. The US' obvious goal is to contain or circle China. The Phillipines is an essential string. If they're smart, they also use their money elsewhere.

And just in case they might hint that China also is an option if the US doesn't want to defend the Philippines. Here we go. No need for Philippinos spending their money on defence.

The rest is mere lobbying for the US defence industry.

[tadeus]

Nope. The Philippines just need to convey the political message to be on the US side. The US will do the rest. Geostrategic policy. The US' obvious goal is to contain or circle China. The Phillipines is an essential string. If they're smart, they also use their money elsewhere.

And just in case they might hint that China also is an option if the US doesn't want to defend the Philippines. Here we go. No need for Philippinos spending their money on defence.

The rest is mere lobbying for the US defence industry.

Like Taiwan did? And now what?

[armored_diplomacy]

Why "mini" subs ?

[Pukewarm]

because subs are ultimately expensive

training hassle, maintenance and stuffs

[armored_diplomacy]

because subs are ultimately expensive

training hassle, maintenance and stuffs

hmm, but they would have to deal with both SSN and SSK (kilo type) over there, plus a growing navy with ASW means; still a curious decision IMO.

[icefrog]

hmm, but they would have to deal with both SSN and SSK (kilo type) over there, plus a growing navy with ASW means; still a curious decision IMO.

Maybe they intend it to be more defensive than offensive and that can go in and out easily the thousands of islands in the Phils. If it's just for patrol purposes of territorial waters you really don't need big submarines.

This should shed light on their way of thinking:

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Navy is planning to purchase its first ever submarine. In a phone patch, Navy Philippine Fleet spokesman Lt. Rommel Rodriguez told reporters that experts are now meeting with international counterparts to assess the plan’s feasibility. He said the Navy may acquire the submarine not later than 2020, depending on the political and administrative atmosphere. "Right now, there are studies that are being undertaken. There are researches right now that involves submarine," Rodriguez said. He noted the study, conducted by the fleet’s office of plans and programs under Lt. Cmdr. Merlito Martinez, is upon orders from Rear Admiral Jose Luis Alano. Rodriguez, however, noted that purchasing one would require billions of dollars. "But since the Navy is geared towards Vision 2020, he wants to come up with a team, there is already a team that is conducting this studies and this studies will determine what capabilities do we need, where can we get this vessel or this submarine, what are the alternatives we have to be able to fund it, or how long will it take," he added.He said the Navy needs to patrol the country’s territorial waters undetected, thus the need for a submarine."The amount may seem impossible for now but definitely we are taking a step forward because the President is (bent on) improving our naval capability. That is why, we are undertaking this study…We are taking a step forward, we are taking a step further," he said.
"It will be better (if we have a submarine) in patrolling our seas because when you have a submarine, it is physically invisible…We will be able to track those violating our maritime laws without them noticing us," said Rodriguez.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05...ying-submarine

[icefrog]

And the smaller Amur-class submarines must be what they are thinking.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/677.htm

[armored_diplomacy]

Maybe they intend it to be more defensive than offensive and that can go in and out easily the thousands of islands in the Phils. If it's just for patrol purposes of territorial waters you really don't need big submarines.
This should shed light on their way of thinking:

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05...ying-submarine

Thank you very much

[Nightsky]

Like Taiwan did? And now what?

Thanks for your incredible insight, coated with a comparison between apples and oranges. Great stuff!

[Steak-Sauce]

And the smaller Amur-class submarines must be what they are thinking.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/677.htm

Ah. And here I was wondering what they meant with mini-submarines from Russia. I had midget submarines with a very smal displacement in mind, not some 550t subs.

[Andy_UA]

Ah. And here I was wondering what they meant with mini-submarines from Russia. I had midget submarines with a very smal displacement in mind, not some 550t subs.

Hi. Russia's other main submarine designer has a lot of expertise in those kind of subs, here is its website.

[Hellfish]

^ Never heard of them before. Have they sold anything?

And with the US about to start shedding F-16 squadrons like dandruff, the Phil AF might be able to get some Block 25 or 30s for cheapo.

[Steak-Sauce]

Oh, that's nice! Are these in service with the Russian navy and / or other customers? Very interesting stuff.

[Andy_UA]

Oh, that's nice! Are these in service with the Russian navy and / or other customers? Very interesting stuff.

Only two were built, and were retired shortly after. Not very succesful to say the least, but they say they improved the design greatly since then. The "Malachite" bureau also works on utility submersibles and special forces insertion assets.
I dont think they had sales, but then, I think they were refining they're proposals recently. Now that these subs are becoming popular. Russia is not willing to finance the development IIRC.