The US Coast Guard will soon acquire a new autonomous vessel for testing and evaluating the capabilities of available autonomous vessel technology, as part of its regulatory changes for the development of autonomous maritime systems. Boston-based Sea Machines Robotics announced it has partnered with Louisiana-based shipbuilder Metal Shark Boats, to supply the USCG’s Research and Development Center (RDC) with a…
As an archipelagic State, the Philippines’ maritime interests go beyond the West Philippine Sea / South China Sea, although it usually gets the most public attention. While promoting and protecting the rights of the Philippines in that area, the Department of Foreign Affairs, in particular the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office, has also been tirelessly making efforts in addressing other…
The global commons refer to the four domains where mother earth’s shared natural resources, outside of national jurisdiction, are found: maritime, air, space and cyberspace. Among these, the oldest is the maritime domain, followed by air in early 20th century with the discovery of human flight; followed by airspace with the launching of satellites into outer space in the 1950s;…
Notably preceded and followed by major military movements, I wonder what would be the impact on RP’s claim on certan islands and sea areas in the SCS. Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840-1914), graduate of the US Naval Naval Academy, wrote of the interdependence of military might and seaborne commerce, “whoever controls the sea lanes controls the islands; who controls islands controls…
ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) today released its Half-Yearly Report 2020 (January-June). Highlights of the Report, whose information is verified by the respective government agencies, also known as ReCAAP Focal Points, and regional authorities, are summarized below: Overall Situation 51 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships (comprising 50 actual and 1 attempted incident) were reported in Asia during…
On 29-June-1964, the Philippine Navy lost its Flagship and our First Destroyer Escort during the fury of Typhoon Winnie. The loss of a Flagship is a major loss to any Naval Force; fortunately, during this incident none of the Officers and Crew was lost. Despite the harshness of Mother Nature, the ship’s entire complement fought bravely to save the ship…
INTRODUCTION Warship design originates from the following order of priority: Doctrine development in regard to the manner in which the Navy will address the strategic concepts of responding against the challenges of threat. The Naval Staff & Circular of Requirements are parameters desired by the Navy in the development and design that will lead to shape the performance and capabilities…
I arrived in the Philippines for the first time in early 1972, landing at Clark Air Base before experiencing the breathtaking bus ride to the U.S. Naval Base Subic just outside Olongapo City. I was to meet the USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63 on its next port of call, the first of many deployments during the Viet Nam campaign. During my…
Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has concluded an agreement with the Republic of the Philippines to construct 2 multi-role response vessels (MRRVs). These vessels will be built at Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works, and are scheduled for delivery to the Philippine Coast Guard in 2022. With a length of about 94 meters, the MRRVs…
I cannot forget that final day in 1977 when we in the DND Strategic Studies Group (SSG) headed by then Col Salvador Regalado PAF that was specially created by DND Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, presented our final proposed draft of the revised PH-US Military Bases Agreement (MBA) when, after the ensuing discussions, we were surprised by the position paper prepared…
Philippine President Duterte has recently forwarded notice to the United States (U.S.) his decision to terminate the current Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) that has been in effect since 1999. This long-standing agreement is scheduled to renew or expire in August 2020. The concerns expressed by many -for or against this action- address many opinions of which I will try to…
With high spirits, the nation greeted the year 2020 with fresh hope that life would be much better and that the world would be more peaceful than the past year. That hope did not last long as renewed human conflict in the Middle East ensued three days after New Year with the killing of a top Iranian general accused of…
The path to becoming the 37th Flag Officer in Command was one set upon by VADM Robert A Empedrad AFP without full intention. In fact, several times in the course of his long career, his plan had not God’s plan. “It’s not my intention to join the PMA. Gusto ko talaga maging (I really wanted to be) an electronic engineer,”…
I am often lost for words to truly describe my experience spending precious time with my classmates in Naval Command and Staff Course Class 86. All my life I wanted to be a soldier, but the Almighty God did not give me an answer to such calling, and the reason why is very much obvious to me. Simply…
In mid-December, the U.S. Naval War College gathered experts in naval operations and maritime law for a conference on an upcoming revision to the San Remo Manual, the principal legal document regarding armed conflicts at sea. “The San Remo Manual is one of the most respected compilations of the law of naval warfare, and we are so proud to engage…
My past research efforts have been mostly directed to Philippine environmental issues, maritime encroachment in Philippine waters as well as maritime safety issues as they impact the Philippines in both the West Philippine Sea as well as the China Sea to the north. I have since broadened my research to not only maritime issues –from the West Philippine Sea to…
“The goal of the AFP Modernization Program reads: the Philippines has the longest coast line in the world next to Indonesia and Canada. The sea is extremely significant from an international, navigational, economic, geopolitical and strategic perspective. There is an urgent need to develop a modern and adequately equipped force that will ensure maritime and air space security.” – National…
US NAVAL STATION SAN DIEGO –Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) and the Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) hosted 10 students school on 20-September-2019 in CIAT, the Navy’s newest combat trainer, or the Combined integrated Air & Missile defense/anti-submarine Warfare Trainer, to increase operator lethality of Advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare Officers (ASWO). The students will Fleet-up aboard the…
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The construction of military-grade bases in three artificial islands (Subi, Fiery Cross and Mischief Reefs), posting of troops with missile defense capability in four others (Cuarteron, Gaven, Hughes, and Johnson South Reefs), conduct of regular naval and coast guard patrols, and use of paramilitary fishing units in the South China Sea are clear indications that China’s maritime campaign has fully…
Reviewing some of my past email, I came across a June 23, 2011 query from a Philippine Marine reserve officer, Frank Suha, who has been living in the United States for many years: There is recent news that PCG is planning to buy brand-new high endurance cutters/vessels – this will be a big help in the West Philippine Sea issue….
The ReCAAP ISC has released its latest publication in 2019: “Guidance on Abduction of Crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and Waters off Eastern Sabah.” This Guidance focuses on the incidents of abduction of crew from ships for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and in the waters off Eastern Sabah. It provides the guidance and analysis based on the information collected…
The Philippine Coast Guard’s first Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) was formally launched in OCEA shipyard in France on July 17. PCG Commandant Admiral Elson E Hermogino, with the Deputy Chief of PCG Staff for Strategic Studies and Modernization, Captain Ferdinan B Picar, PCG Spokesperson Captain Armando A Balilo, and officials from Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)…
The French Naval Group has launched SNA Suffren, the first of 6 nuclear submarines for the French Navy. The black steel submarine was launched at a ceremony in the northern port of Cherbourg on 12-July-2019. SNA Suffren, the first of the Barracuda-class series, is a highly complex vessel that was built using a modular system. They are designed to replace…
To be relevant and to survive, many profit-oriented organizations positively react to their changing operational environment. They are cognizant that the very thing to expect over time is change. As a consequence, they revise their structure to support a new corporate strategy with the aim to improve efficiency, promote teamwork and reduce cost. These changes could lead to mergers, acquisitions,…