Maritime Review (March – April 2024 Issue)
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AFP Modernization
The 67th Establishment Anniversary of Naval Special Operations Command
The theme of the event was “NAVSOCOM @67: Leading Innovations, Sustaining Excellence, Forging a Legacy.” Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy, VADM TORIBIO D ADACI JR PN, and the NAVSOCOM Commander, COMMO DWIGHT STEVEN M DULNOAN PN received the President after a sideboys honor was rendered to him, which was followed by a guestbook signing, before escorting him…
A Frigate’s Life Cycle Cost, Midlife Refit, and Integrated Logistics Support System
INTRODUCTION A Navy ship is a National Defense Security Investment. It is always out of sight to those who truly understand operation and maintenance. It is a hidden cost in the Integrated Logistics Support System (ILSS) and midlife refit. It is now time to start caring, saving money, and extending the useful life of a naval surface vessel and are…
Doctrine and Circular of Requirements in Warship Design
INTRODUCTION This article features some details for discussion on how to determine the design a fighting ship capable for credible defense during high intensity conflict at the contested sea areas of our territorial seas. The foregoing explains how fighting credibility and combat reputation can be achieved by a warship by evaluating and using certain tools of information whether the ship…
Missile-Equipped MPACs Arrive in Eastern Mindanao
The Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao welcomes the Philippine Navy’s Littoral Combat Force’s 4th Boat Attack Division comprised of three Mk3 class Multi-Purpose Assault Craft (MPAC) at Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City. These attack boats increase the capabilities of the Philippine Naval Forces in Eastern Mindanao and boost the maritime security in the area These assets are part of…
Maritime Review (May – June 2022 Issue)
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Protecting the Protectors
In the early 2000s, the AFP created an ad hoc committee to conduct a feasibility study on the acquisition of three (3) 90-meter corvettes offered by a Canadian firm. As former skipper of a similar vessel, I was designated as the vice chair. The “project” did not materialize because the proposal lacked certain requirements. Had the government pursued it, the…
How A Navy Should Decide to Buy Their First Diesel Electric Submarine With Air Independent Power (AIP)
INTRODUCTION This article is a research paper titled “How A Navy Should Decide To Acquire to Buy the First Diesel Electric Submarine” with confidence. If and when the government so decides to acquire the first diesel electric submarine with Air Independent Power (AIP), a NAVY should be prepared and capable to support such a decision. Some of the information are…
Planned Maintenance System (PMS) on the Propulsion Engines of the 44M MRRV of the PCG
INTRODUCTION This article is a detailed overview on how the propulsion system of 44M Multi-Role Response Vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard PMS can be achieved. The existing propulsion system of said ten units 44M MRRV is MTU Model 12V 4000 series M93L which can be maintained effectively using the following step by step PMS procedures: Understanding the engine performance…
TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY
Over the past few decades many nations in Southeast Asia, including the ASEAN, have increased their defense budgets to procure and upgrade weapons systems. Some accounts indicate that the increase in the regional defense spending is two to three times the world average. Interestingly most of the weapons acquisitions are for their air and naval forces that are incredibly more…
Maritime Review (September – October 2021 Issue)
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Deliberate Acquisition of Submarine Warfare Capability of a Navy
INTRODUCTION This article emphasizes the dangers of operating a submarine short of maturity in a NAVY. They face threats and dangers of deep water that needs to be understood by a NAVY aspiring to fulfill the dreams of acquiring a submarine warfare capability for the defense of their country in territorial seas. This article is not to discouraged the NAVY,…
BROWN EAGLE UNDERWATER: The Philippines’ Quest For Submarines
I am sharing an article I had written six years ago, now with revisions as further information came to light in supporting the Philippine Navy’s acquisition of Submarines through a historical perspective. INTRODUCTION. On 22-September-1914, in the cold choppy waters of the North Sea, a few miles from the coast of the Netherlands in less than 90 minutes, HMS Aboukir,…
Historical Glance on the Development of Naval Facilities in the Provinces of Cebu and Guimaras
INTRODUCTION. In 1992, the naval facilities in the provinces of Cebu and Guimaras were built by the Philippine Navy through the vision and effort of a senior naval officer, Rear Admiral Edgardo B Gallos AFP (Ret), whose heart and mind had dedicated his life and honor in the service of the Philippine Navy. As a young senior Naval Captain and…
Maritime Review (July – August 2021 Issue)
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The Culture of Maintenance
Before Congress abrogated the 1947 RP-US Military Bases Agreement (MBA) the maintenance of most of the country’s defense equipment depended on the American logistics system. Some combatant ships and aircrafts were sent overseas for depot maintenance. Most spares came in handy with a robust supply system. In the 1960s the nation’s air force, with its Blue Diamond unit, and navy,…
Preparing for the Worst
The worrisome situation that continues to intensify across the Indo-Pacific theater – India-China border, Taiwan Straits, East China Sea, South China Sea – is subverting diplomatic efforts to restore peace and order, and escalating the prospects of an armed conflict due to clashing core interests of the great powers between China and the US. While our interdependent foreign policy seeks…
Hamilton Class Weather High Endurance Cutter (WHEC) – Proven Suitability for the Missions of both Coast Guard and Navy
History The Hamilton WHEC was constructed beginning in the 1960s, and they were intended to fulfill both Coast Guard peacetime and wartime requirements, and serve alongside the Navy. During the Vietnam War, several types of vessels supported the “Operation Market Time,” provided patrol duties, boarding and inspection of North Vietnamese vessels and boats, conducted naval gunfire support, missions, and medical…
Maritime Review (Mar-Apr 2021 Issue)
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Environmental Factors Enhance Diesel Electric Submarine Dominance in the Littoral Zone Battlespace
INTRODUCTION This article attempts to describe the difference between the two (2) submarine battlespaces in the littoral zone and open ocean for diesel electric submarines and nuclear attack submarines, and the inherent environmental factors in an arena of underwater warfare for type submarine that can be exploited to one’s own advantage by cognizant naval commanders. This research work by the…
Maritime Review (Jul – Aug 2020 Issue)
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Combined Operations Effectiveness Integrations Appraisal Study (COEIAS) on a Newly Acquired Frigate by the Philippine Navy
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…
Maritime Review (July – Aug 2019 Issue)
Coast Guard Presents Newly Acquired Rescue Assets
As part of the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) capability development program, newly acquired rescue boats, vehicles and other equipment were presented yesterday, 30-May-2019, to beef up the agency’s readiness for the expected threats of typhoons that may hit the country this year. During the blessing and launching ceremony at the PCG Headquarters yesterday, the PCG Commandant Admiral Elson E Hermogino,…
Philippine Navy Air Group to Get Wing Status
With the Philippine Navy’s expanding operations and growing capabilities, its Air Group is poised to be upgraded to wing status. The restructure of the Naval Air Group, the first time since it was formed 7 decades ago, has become imminent due to increasing demands for maritime situational awareness and expertise. “With this wide reach of Naval Air Group nowadays, the…