DND, SoKor shipbuilder lumagda ng kasunduan para sa dalawang bagong corvettes

Nilagdaan ngayong Martes ng Department of National Defense (DND) at South Korean shipbuilder na Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), ang P28-billion contract, para sa pagbili ng dalawang bagong corvettes para sa Philippine Navy (PN), na may kakayahang magsagawa ng anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare missions.

Ang kontrata ay nilagdaan ni Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana at HHI representative Ka Sam Hyun, sa isang virtual ceremony na dinaluhan din ni Minister Kang Eun-ho, head ng South Korea Defense Acquisition Program Administration, at HHI president at chief executive officer Chung Ki-Sun.

Sumaksi rin ang iba pang ranking DND, HHI, at mga opisyal ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), kabilang sina chief-of-staff, Gen. Andres Centino at Navy chief Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado.

Sa kaniyang pagsasalita ay sinabi ni Lorenzana, na masaya sila at nagawa nilang maabot ang kanilang target na malagdaan ang PN Corvette Lot 1 Acquisition Project contract bago matapos ang 2021, sa kabila ng mga pagkaantalang dulot ng pandemya.

Ayon pa kay Lorenzana . . . “We are finally signing the contract, the last phase of the procurement process. For a total approved budget of PHP28 billion, this project will give the PN two modern corvettes that are capable of anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare missions.”

Aniya . . . “With a common shipbuilder for all our naval platforms, we expect ease of maintenance and repairs.”

Pinuri rin ni Lorenzana ang HHI para sa pagiging aktibo at maaasahang partner sa modernization program ng Philippine Navy.

Dagdag pa niya . . . “Like the two frigates which were built in record time, we expect this acquisition project will likewise run smoothly.”

Ang Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) para sa 15 percent advance payment para sa Corvette Acquisition Program (CAP) ng PN, ay ipinalabas ng Department of Budget and Management noong December 10.

Ang SARO na nagkakahalaga ng P3.75 billion laan para gugulan ang mga kinakailangan para sa 15 percent advance payment para sa CAP ng PN sa ilalim ng Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.

Sabi pa ni Lorenzana . . . “They are smaller than the (two Jose Rizal-class frigates) but will also be sufficiently armed.”

Ang dalawang Jose Rizal-class frigates ay may sukat na 107 meters at may bigat na nasa 2,600 tonelada.