The Philippine Navy’s coastal combat capabilities were significantly enhanced when receiving Ex-US Patrol Vessels.
These are former Cyclone-class patrol ships of the United States Navy. In Philippine Navy service, these ships were redesignated BRP Valentin Diaz (PS-177) and BRP Ladislao Diwa (PS-178). They will join BRP General Mariano Alvarez (PS-38) to strengthen the country’s navy’s patrol capabilities.
The ships were the last Cyclones in the U.S. Navy until their transfer, marking an end to the patrol ships’ American service history. Now named after Filipino heroes, they will continue to serve. From April to August, the ships were made ready for Philippine service. Some sensors and equipment, such as Satellite Communications (SATCOM), were removed prior to the transfer, but the ships themselves were refurbished.
The two Cyclone-class patrol vessels were transferred to the Philippines as part of the United States’ Excess Defense Article program. These vessels, weighing approximately 328.5 long tons and measuring 55 m in length, 7.6 m in beam, and 2.3 m in draft, boast a maximum speed of 32 to 35 knots and a range of 2,000 to 2,500 nautical miles.
Armed with 25mm auto-cannons and high-powered machine guns, they are well-equipped for a range of maritime operations. They can maneuver efficiently in coastal and shallow waters where larger vessels could struggle due to its small size and shallow draft, according to the Philippine Navy.
It can be used for patrol operations, interdiction, and surveillance against hostile surface craft, as well as in response to emergency requirements in a littoral battlespace within a low-intensity conflict environment, the Philippine Navy added.
The addition of the BRP Valentin Diaz and BRP Ladislao Diwa to the Philippine Navy’s fleet represents a significant step forward in enhancing the country’s littoral combat capability. These vessels symbolize the strong partnership between the Philippines and the United States in preserving maritime security, upholding international law, and ensuring a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
