PH acquisition of first submarine still under dev’t
While the Philippines is planning to acquire its first submarine, it still remains under development as it is a "very large commitment" for the country at present, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said.
Marcos explained that in acquiring a submarine, there are equally important requirements that must be achieved in order to maintain the underwater craft.
"There is a plan but it is still being developed dahil ang commitment para mag-operate ng submarine (because the commitment to operate a submarine) is not a small commitment, it’s a very large commitment because the training that is involved, the equipment that is involved, the operational requirements that are involved are quite significant," Marcos said in a media interview on the sidelines of the 125th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Navy on Friday, May 26.
Marcos said the country may not be able to acquire its first-ever submarine now, but remains hopeful that it will come.
For the meantime, he said, the government will continue to develop its anti-submarine capabilities.
"So, it is still part of our plan but right now we are in the middle of developing mostly our anti-submarine capabilities. So ‘yun ang uunahin natin (That is what we are prioritizing now) and then maybe hopefully when the time comes and the conditions are agreeable then we might be able to acquire those submarines," Marcos said.
The President disclosed that the Philippines has actually been getting offers from different countries to acquire and build submarines here.
"Marami tayong (we have a many) offer(s) from different countries not only to acquire submarines but also to build them here in the Philippines," Marcos said.
"So ‘yun ang tinitignan natin ngayon dahil malaking bagay ‘yun (So, we are also looking into that) if they are built here and we can actually build submarines here and provide those submarines to other countries and then that’s another source of jobs and of income and increase capability for our Navy," Marcos added.