After spending 4 days in meetings in Manilla , it is fairly evident that they are trying from the ground up Some tenders are funded but these are for small number boats to around 18m. Internal security in the south is a strong priority.
As to the Philippine officer core I have my doubts. They have a very corrupt record even by Pilipino standards but as far as crew is concerned that will not be a problem. The Philippines’ provides one of the largest merchant marine work forces in the world where they have a good reputation. They have lots and lots of people with practical at sea experience in most aspects for manning and maintaining ships at sea and they have the facilities in country to train more. As far as major overhaul is concerned when Subic was still running they were one of the better naval shipyards at the time in the US Navy and its entire workforce was Pilipino. They have some people who still have the skills I am sure.
The problem is you don't have the luxury of time. DOE is about to issue 12 contracts for drilling this year and 2 of them straddles the "Dotted line" of which the Chinese and Taiwanese have already protested. This week,US congressman Royce even mentioned last year's incident where in the Chinese Navy fired live ammo on the fishermen and "cutoff the cables" of the exploring ship. PH navy responded with an OV-10 and the trainer S211 but of course, by then they have left the vicinity. Both aircraft don't even have radar to see if there are other aircraft in the surroundings.
Don't confuse the IPVs with the OPVs New Zealand recently added to their fleet. The OPVs cost more like USD 50 million, not USD 25 million, or in the neighborhood of NZD 85-90 million each. Keep in mind that reflects prices from the early 2000s, not a decade later. The similar Irish order for new OPVs very similar to New Zealand's in the past year ran EU 60 million each.
If china deploys it's frigates and destroyers, Gorio is in deep deep trouble.
If China responds incorrectly, the US Navy will make an appearance. Keep in mind within a few weeks the Philippine Navy and US Navy have exercises planned.
That really depends on a number of factors. China is already unhappy over certain moves undertaken by the U.S. which it sees as part of a grand plan to contain it and the U.S. will not want to further 'annoy' the Chinese. Unless Chinese ships resort to something drastic such as firing across the bows of Philippine ships or ramming them, I doubt if the U.S. would want to up the ante. It would really be ironic if China decides to get more aggressive or assertive in response to the deployment of the USMC to northern Australia and other moves by the U.S. to increase its presence in the region - especially given that such moves were also designed to 'deter' the Chinese.
The problem here is that when it comes to sovereignty issues, China is not bothered about world opinion [Tibet and Singkiang [Turkestan] are prime examples]. As far as China is concerned, the Spratleys are an indisputable part of China and it sees U.S. attempts to mediate in the dispute as meddling in Chinese domestic affairs. The Chinese strategy was to deal with the other claimants on a collective basis, using its greater 'pull' to its advantage. What happens next is anyone's guess.
Great. If China isn't willing to live under international law, the rest of us in the international community can boycott all of their goods. Tell Apple to build their iPads somewhere else if they wish to continue selling iPads.
That's right. But this is not just territorial issue but environmental also. The 8 boats were caught with thousands of giant clams, rare corals and even live rare sharks. In essence these fishermen are poachers. Numerous times Chinese fishermen are caught even in the Tubattaha Reef in the Sulu Sea. It is a World Heritage site and they use dynamite to stun the rare Napoleon wrasses, kill the rare giant green sea turtles and destroy the habitat.
They cant do that it would also be insanely expensive. You cant just build a defense industry. Building things like tanks, ships or aircraft means Knowledge which you wont have.
I thought those were removed because of the cost of operation? Hell i thought the harpoon launchers were removed a long time ago.
The Hamiltons are fitted for but not with harpoons. When you price the costs of harpoons and Phalanx CIWS, you will understand why the USCG kept them as they are still useful and can be installed on other USCG ships. If the Philippines want harpoons and Phalanx CIWS, buy them from their manufacturers.