Philippine Coast Guard Secures P25.8-Billion Deal for Fast Patrol Craft with France

File photo for reference only

In a landmark move to bolster its maritime capabilities, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has signed a P25.8-billion contract with French shipbuilding company OCEA for the acquisition of 40 units of 35-meter fast patrol craft. This deal marks the largest single purchase in the PCG’s modernization effort to date.

The contract was formalized by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, and OCEA CEO Roland Joassard. This significant transaction is facilitated through a government-to-government (G2G) financing agreement under the Agreement on Financial and Development Cooperation (AFDC) between the Philippines and France.

Backed by a nine-year Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) plan, the acquisition aims to ensure sustained operational readiness and effective long-term maintenance of the patrol vessels. Admiral Gavan stated that these fast patrol craft would play a crucial role in monitoring activities in the West Philippine Sea amid ongoing tensions with China.

Beyond geopolitical concerns, the patrol boats will also enhance the PCG’s capacity to tackle various maritime challenges. These include monitoring growing maritime traffic and curbing illegal activities such as fishing violations, smuggling, piracy, and maritime terrorism. "Acquiring these assets will modernize the PCG Fleet, capacitating us to deploy mission-capable and high-speed vessels to further enhance maritime domain awareness and expand Coast Guard presence," Gavan emphasized.

These high-speed multi-role vessels are designed as rapid deployment platforms, crucial for executing rescue, relief, and emergency operations during natural disasters and maritime incidents. This capability aims to dramatically improve the PCG’s response time and operational efficiency.

Under the agreement, 20 of these vessels will be built in France, while the remaining 20 will be constructed in the Philippines. This strategy supports the domestic maritime industry by creating jobs, fostering technology transfer, and enhancing the country’s self-reliance in naval shipbuilding.

The acquisition signifies a substantial advancement for the PCG’s operational scope, ensuring that the Philippines continues to strengthen its maritime defense and safety capabilities in complex seas.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Manila Bulletin 2025-05-23