As the Philippine Navy eyes foreign shipbuilders to acquire additional multi-mission vessels, including warships and submarines, as part of its long-term modernization program, a local company wants to get a share of the country's defense spending on maritime assets. But it admits the ambitious plan could not be carried out without challenges.
Since its establishment in 1991, the company has sold P7-B worth of maritime vessels to the government, including landing craft utility ships for the Navy, high speed tactical watercraft boats for the Philippine National Police, and aluminum rescue boats for the Philippine Coast Guard. The government, in recent years, has acquired big-ticket items for the Navy abroad, including its first-ever missile-capable frigates from South Korea and two warships from Indonesia. Defense and Navy officials have also expressed interest on patrol vessels from Israel and Australia, as part of the country's continuing efforts to strengthen its naval fleet.
WHO SAID SO?! THIS LOCAL SHIP BUILDING COMPANY HAS A LONGSTANDING RECORD WORKING W/ CHINA'S INTEREST. FROM 1991 TO PRESENT DAY THE DOCUMENTS SAID 'SO'. ' THE BRIDGE 'UNDER' TROUBLED WATER!