Philippine Navy acquiring South Korean vessel

Philippine Navy Chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad the other day bared the planned acquisition of a decommissioned Korean Pohang-classs Corvette this year to help boost the country's territorial defense capabilities.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of a security forum held in Manila on Thursday afternoon, Empedrad said they are just waiting for the approval of the fund requirements in order to acquire the vessel.

He said the fund requirement for the ship is about P250 million pesos.

"We will be receiving a Korean Corvette this year. (We are) just waiting for the approval of the fund requirements," Empedrad said.

"Iyung (The) projected crew ng (of the) Corvette are ready. Anytime they can go to Korea for the training and they can sail the ship to the Philippines," he added.

The Pohang-class Corvette is a class of general purpose corvettes operated by the Republic of Korea Navy. They have served in a coastal defense role during the late Cold War and post Cold War period.

A total of 24 Pohang-class vessels were built in South Korea. 18 are still in use today.

"Ang expectation namin (We expect) is by June the budget will be approved. Probably the ship will be delivered in three months," Empedrad said.

Empedrad said naval warfare today is missile based and the Navy cannot afford to be left alone.

"We cannot afford to just use a capability na nakakabit sa mga lumang barko natin (attached in old ships). We have to grow as a Navy," he said.