From high-speed boats to new helicopters, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) boasted its new “state-of-the-art and modern” modern maritime and aerial assets.
According to the PCG, they were able to acquire a number of modern and advanced assets such as offshore patrol vessels (OPV) with hybrid propulsion, helicopters with glass cockpit, and high speed rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs).
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The Coast Guard added that it was also able to acquire multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) equipped with remote control weapons systems on naval machine guns.
In a move to modernize its fleet, the Coast Guard acquired two brand new H145 Airbus Helicopter, ten 44-meter MRRVs, two 97-meter MRRVs, one 83-meter OPV, four 24-meter Fast Patrol Craft (FPC), ten 7-meter RHIBs, two 12-meter boats; and one 15-meter boat, among others.
“Before, the PCG lacked maritime assets in terms of surveillance, patrol, reconnaissance, and search and rescue (SAR) capability, which resulted in its incapacity to cover the country’s vast coastline and maritime domain,” the Coast Guard said.
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“Now, as part of its maritime capability development initiative, the PCG is able to acquire modern and advanced assets,” it added.
Aside from the new equipment, the Coast Guard also pointed out the increase in operational lighthouses as well as in manpower. (NM)
