The Philippine Navy has unveiled its latest and upcoming additions to its fleet as part of the military’s modernization program amid fresh concerns on the highly disputed South China Sea. Missile-armed gunboats, a refurbished corvette, anti-submarine warfare helicopters and missile frigates are some of the expected assets to join the Navy fleet. However, the Philippine Navy still has “a long, long way to become a strong Navy compared to its counterparts,” Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad said last Thursday. ADVERTISEMENT“Your Navy has just acquired its first missile capability multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) that will be made operational possibly in the third quarter. In 2020, the Philippine Navy will acquire its first of its two missile frigates it ordered from South Korea.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 12, 2018 03:00 UTC