Philippines buys 5 vessels from Japan as South China Sea tensions rise

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 May 2024 08:46

The Philippines will make a $400 million purchase from Japan to bolster its Coast Guard's capabilities.

Japan Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Shohei Ishii, center right, shakes hands with Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, prior to a meeting at the Philippine Coast Guard headquarters, in Manila, Philippines, on November 4, 2023. (AP)

The Philippines will purchase five coast guard patrol ships from Japan, in a multifaceted deal worth more than $400 million.

Japan will loan the Philippines 64.38 billion yen ($413 million) to buy five 97-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) and the required support facilities, Manila's Foreign Ministry explained in a statement.

"This will support the [Philippines Coast Guard] in improving its capabilities for maritime operations, particularly in addressing transnational crimes," the ministry added.

Based on the Kungami-class design vessels, the Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessels were specially built for the Philippines Coast Guard (PCG), as they host additional systems and facilities. The design allows the PCG to work on multiple missions simultaneously, as each MRRV hosts a helipad, hangar, docks for smaller workboats, and docks for underwater vessels.

The Philippines has already acquired two MRRVs from Japan, which means that its Coast Guard's fleet of MRRVs will be expanded to seven after the deal is completed.

Growing disputes over islands and reefs in the South China Sea have prompted both the Philippines and China to grow their naval assets. Several collisions have been recorded between the two countries' coast guards in recent times.

The United States has been deeply involved in fostering regional tensions in Southeast Asia, allying itself with the current Philippines government.

On Wednesday, it was announced that the PCG received its first dedicated facility for vessel maintenance and repair from US officials. The station will prove crucial for the PCG, as several vessels have been damaged and need repair during confrontations between the two countries. The Pentagon and State Department funded the $950,000 Fleet Maintenance and Repair Group Workshop to bolster the PCG's capabilities.

In the latest water cannon incident near Scarborough Shoal, Philippine government vessels BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4110) and BRP Datu Bankaw (MMOV-3004) suffered damage to their superstructures and navigational equipment after Chinese vessels aimed their water cannons at the vessels.

Scarborough Shoal has been the center of China–Philippines relations as the chain of reeds and rocks that make up the shoal continue to be disputed by both countries, witnessing multiple aggressive incidents.