Road to sub deal set

Lorenzana signed the letter of intent in connection with the Philippine Navy’s submarine acquisition project during his trip to Paris last month.

The recent maritime defense pact agreed upon by the Philippines and France will not bind until all formalities have been put in place, according to Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Describing the agreement as “only the first step,” Lorenzana signed the letter of intent in connection with the Philippine Navy’s submarine acquisition project during his trip to Paris last month.

It was to start the drawing of a blueprint for the creation of a more concrete maritime defense agreement between the two countries.

“It’s just an intent, it’s non-binding and only a way to start the planning,” Lorenzana said in. “The contract is what binds (the agreement).

“They’re selling submarines to us, the Scorpene. According to the Navy it’s one of the best submarines around,” he added.

French defense contractor Naval Group describes the 2,000-ton diesel-electric submarine as “designed for all types of mission such as surface vessel warfare, anti-submarine warfare, long-range strikes, special operations or intelligence gathering.”

The Scorpene can reach a top speed of 37 kilometers per hour and features six weapon launching tubes and 18 weapons including torpedoes, missiles and mines.

Lorenzana was able to see it upclose during his visit to the French capital for the Association of Southeast Asian Nation Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit.