PHL eyes Russia, Korea for submarines

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippines is now looking for possible suppliers of diesel-electric submarines which will be acquired in the third horizon of Revised Armed Forces (AFP) Modernization Program, 2023 to 2028.

Among the countries the Philippines is looking are South Korea and Russia. “Tumitingin tayo sa Korea at Russia and other countries,” Secretary Lorenzana said after the June 11 DND flag raising ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The defense chief said Philippines is being left out by its neighbors in Southeast Asia.

“Kailangan din naman natin ‘yan para meron naman tayong security, kasi yung mga kapitbahay natin may mga submarines na eh, Malaysia, Indonesia, pati Singapore na napakaliit na bansa, at Vietnam, tayo na lang wala dito,” he said.

He explained that procuring submarines takes time.

“Kasi iyung pagawa ng submarine, it takes five to eight years, sometimes it takes 10 years. From the time we order it until it is finished, it takes that long. If we order in the third horizon and is delivered, the term of the president is already finished,” Lorenzana said.

Sources: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1037854; https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/06/11/lorenzana-looking-at-south-korea-russia-as-potential-suppliers-of-submarines-for-afp/