The RNZN 55m IPV's cost about US$25m (NZD 35m) each to commission. The 85m OPV's cost roughly in the US$60m range (NZD 90m).
The US Coast Guard have 12, and 4 are being decommissioned this year, with another 4 expected to retire next year, and the last 4 the next. The fifth of seven Bertholf NSC cutters was funded during FY2011, with one more planned during the next two years. Two have already been commissioned, with a third launched---- to undergo her sea trials later this year. While I am not certain, the fourth Bertholf has had her keel laid down or soon will...YES, your right about being old cutters but it would still be better than the current flagship BRP Rahaj Humabon PF-11 which was built in 1943...Only 4 of the class cutters are scheduled for decommissioning in FY 2011 namely USCGS Jarvis WHEC-725, Rush WHEC-723, Hamilton WHEC-715 and Chase WHEC-718...Hopefully we get the one that is in the best condition!
DEFINITELY, that's for sure...It would also boost the patrol capability and morale of PN personnel onced the aquisitioned is complete and the ship is formally turnover this year which will be designated as the new flagship.
The priority now for the PN should be in developing a better capability to patrol it's vast waters, by getting newer ships to replace the current fleet with better sensors and seakeeping, rather than worry about ASW. Adding just the basics needed for ASW - a bow mounted passive/active sonar and 2 triple torpedo mounts - will significantly raise the price of any new OPV or frigate. The Philippines at present is not faced with a submarine threat. One of the main challenges facing the PN is the need to better patrol its vast waters against foreign enroachment/illegal fishing.
I agree, the PN needs maybe some hundreds of fast patrol boats armed with some hi tech gadgets and some missiles. Again why is it that PN or the defense department not tapping the local shipbuilding industry there. The need for submarines should for the long term goal. Its true that the vasts shoreline and 7000 islands is a challenge for the ill equip PN. Some of these islands maybe already occupied by terrorists, smugglers, pirates, etc. And the government seem to act too slow because of its traditional bureaucracy, which is another problem, they have to be creative there and find ways to improve and find solutions.
The Bangladeshi navy recently procured Castle class OPVs, they were heavily upgrade. They have all the capabilities you mentioned, the PN should look at ships similar to this. BTW the Castle class have no missiles but the BN plans to upgrade it with missiles soon as it plans to turn them into fully capable missile corvettes.(the castle class are designated as corvettes in the BN)
The Hamiltons were fitted with sonars and ASW torpedo tubes during the 80's and then removed in mid-90's. In theory they could be mounted again once transferred. I believe that 5 of the Hamiltons had Harpoon aswell for a period of time before being removed at the sametime as the ASW equpiment.
Funding for the PN is of course a major issue but I really don't see the point in operating a vessel the size of the Hamiliton and arming her just with guns, unless there are plans to fit her with missiles at a later date. Some of the Hamiltons I think are still fitted with Phlanx.
The U.S has been selling a lot of refurbished Perry class ships, Beirut got one for free I think. Philippine could be offered one.
The Adelaide's/Perry's are much more capable than the Hamilton's, being frontline combatants, but what will the operating and mantainance costs be?
The Hamiltons have diesels for economical patrolling, the Perry's don't as they are fitted with only gas turbines... One of the reasons why the US Navy wishes to replace the Perrys with the LCSs, both Independence and Freedom classes, is to save considerably on fuel...