Philippines Will Purchase Additional 5 Coast Patrol Boats (OPV) From Japan

Philippines Will Purchase Additional 5 Coast Patrol Boats (OPV) From Japan

Manila - The Philippine government will purchase five additional 97-meter Coast Patrol Boats (OPV) from Japan. These five ships will be used by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Manila feels the need to increase PCG strength in order to increase presence in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). The plan has been submitted to the Ministry of Transportation, which will be forwarded to the National Economic and Development Agency for processing, the Inquirer reported.

It was stated that PCG Commander Admiral Artemio Abu had met with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Tanaka Akihiko and Japanese Embassy officials at PCG Headquarters on Friday. The meeting discussed future cooperation, including the acquisition by the Philippines of more patrol boats.

JICA previously funded the purchase of PCG's first two 97-meter OPV vessels through an official development assistance loan of 6.4 billion pesos. In 2022 PCG officially operates its newest 97 m OPV vessel named BRP Teresa Magbanua.

The 97 meter multi-role response vessel (MRRV) was built by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. In Japan. The Japanese government supported PCG modernization efforts and other projects from the previous Duterte administration.

The 97-meter MRRV arrives in the Philippines in June 2022 and is named BRP Melchora Aquino. The procurement of the two ships is part of the Department of Transportation's Phase 2 Maritime Safety Capability Enhancement project.