US Navy donates two Cyclone-class patrol ships to Philippines
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
The US Navy has donated its two Cyclone-class patrol ships to the Philippine Navy which were decommissioned in a ceremony held at US 5th Fleet’s base in Bahrain.
USS Monsoon (PC 4) and USS Chinook (PC 9) were received by the Philippine Navy delegation headed by Philippine Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Renato David.
During the program, the accomplishments of the two ships were recognised while its officers and crewmembers were honoured.
In his speech, Rear ADM David welcomed and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity extended by the US Navy to the Philippines.
It was reported that “the Philippine Navy leadership is grateful for the transfer of the two vessels which will definitely boost the Navy’s capability in fulfilling its mandate of protecting the state and its people’’.
“These 55-metre vessels will be able to complement the PN’s patrol gunboats in the campaign to ensure the safety and security within the littoral waters of the porous borders and vast maritime environment of the Philippines, being equipped with the firepower and lethality for littoral operations,” the report said.
Following the decommissioning, USS Monsoon (PC 4) and USS Chinook (PC 9) will be transferred to the Philippine Navy and will be recommissioned as PS-51 and PS-52 respectively in support of the coastal defense of the Philippine islands.
Both USS Monsoon and Chinook had 30 years of service in US Coast Guard and Navy operations.
They are expected to be delivered in the Philippines by the second quarter of this year.
The donation was a continuation of the United States’ longstanding partnership with the Philippines through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which supports combined training, exercises, and interoperability between military forces.
Her Excellency Ambassador-designate Anne Jalando-on Louis and Consul Bryan Jess T. Baguio attended the ceremony
Related Posts