Submarines soon

It is now possible for the country to own submarines, according to the Department of Defense Spokesman Arsenio Andolong.

A budget for the acquisition of submarines is included in Horizon Two of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.

“The Navy is now studying the doctrines and planning its procurement. This has never been done before and I think that is significant,” Andolong said in the interview on Monday.

Earlier, the purchase of diesel-electric submarines was scheduled for Horizon Three, which will start from 2023 to 2028.

According to Andolong, however, Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad was the one who pushed to include it in Horizon Two, which will start from 2018 to 2022.

Emperedrad also mentioned that the Philippine Navy already created a Submarine Group, which is now sending personnel for the study and proper training on submarine operations. This will span seven to 10 years.

Horizon One, which covered 2013 to 2017, resulted in the purchase of three Del Pilar class frigates, 12 FA-50PH light-lift interim fighters and two strategic sealifts.