Philippine Submarine
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippine government proposed to procure a submarine capability, with several countries offering to provide or build them. The acquisition plan is still in its early stages. The move is seen as a strategic measure to bolster the ability of the Philippine navy to deter China in the South China Sea, where Manila has territorial disputes with Beijing.
As of 2023, the Philippine Navy did not have any operational submarines. However, they had expressed a desire to procure submarines as part of their modernization efforts. The intention of adding submarines to the fleet was to enhance the country's maritime defense capabilities amidst growing regional tensions. The exact type, class, and specifications of the submarines the Philippine Navy planned to acquire were not defined and would depend on various factors, including budgetary constraints and strategic requirements. Submarines are a significant asset for any navy, offering advantages such as stealth and the ability to carry a range of weapons, including torpedoes and missiles. They can perform a variety of missions, from intelligence gathering to offensive operations.
In a shift in focus to territorial defense, Northern Luzon Command head Major Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang presented a paper 07 October 2013 detailing the country's plan to acquire three submarines. He said submarines, by their inherent stealth capability, can be deployed to monitor and protect the country's extensive maritime domains. These vessels are the conventional-powered or diesel-electric type and generally cheaper than nuclear-powered ones.
On July 31, 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the acquisition of submarines for the Philippine Navy, according to news clips compiled by the Philippine Navy. The former Philippine Navy chief, Vice Adm. Giovanni Bacordo, confirmed deals for multiple naval projects, including one for submarines, was to have been signed by 2021 or 2022 but not for the coronavirus disease (COVID) 2019 pandemic, multiple news articles reported on June 7, 2021. Specifically, the Philippine government has allotted P70 billion to purchase two diesel-electric submarines to enhance the Navy’s maritime defense capacity. “The ongoing [Philippine Navy] modernization program enables the Navy to perform and fulfill its various naval roles and tasks, especially in addressing territorial defense and maritime security,” the Navy said.
Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad expressed inclination to acquire French-made submarines over other proposals submitted by Russia, Korea and Germany. “Their [France] proposal best fits the requirements set by the Philippine Navy but we continue to request for proposals from other companies,” Empedrad told reporters in an interview on 02 October 2019.
According to the Naval Group, the Scorpene is a 2000-ton, conventional-propulsion submarine “designed for all types of mission such as surface vessel warfare, anti-submarine warfare, long-range strikes, special operations or intelligence gathering.” The Naval Group said its combat edge is highlighted by six weapon launching tubes and 18 weapons including torpedoes, missiles and mines. It also has a top speed of 37 kilometers per hour.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed 18 December 2019 that the Philippines had come a step closer to acquiring its first submarine after the signing of an agreement with France that sought to enhance both country’s maritime defense. Lorenzana and French Defense Minister Florence Parly signed the letter of intent in Paris 29 November 2018. Lorenzana said that the “Philippines’ signing of the Letter of Intent on EnhancingDefense Cooperation in the Maritime Domain with the French government could aid us in acquiring the Scorpene-class, diesel-electric attack submarine.”
“Intent pa lang, non-binding ‘yun para makapagumpisa na ng planning. Ang binding ‘yung kontrata na (It’s only [a letter of] intent, it’s still non-binding but it will set the planning [to start]. The contract is what binds [the agreement],” Lorenzana said when asked about the matter.
Asked how it would help the Philippines in its maritime defense, Lorenzana responded that it would be crucial in the country’s acquisition of its first ever unit of submarine. “Kasi nagbebenta sila sa atin ng submarines, ‘yung Scorpene ([It would be helpful] because they are selling us submarines, the Scorpene type),” he said.
The Defense Chief said the Philippine Navy regarded the Scorpene-class attack submarine as “one of the best submarines” there is. The Scorpene diesel-electric submarine being offered by the French government to the Philippines will be manufactured by French defense contractor Naval Group. Lorenzana managed to see for himself the submarine when he visited France in November 2019 after his trip to South Korea with President DUterte for the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN)-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit.
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said 26 December 2019 the Scorpene diesel-electric submarine, which is produced by French defense contractor Naval Group (formerly DCNS), is appropriate for the Philippines' requirement. "It (Scorpene diesel-electric submarine) is a very good sub, appropriate for our needs," he said. Incidentally, the DND chief said he was able to get a first-hand look on the French-made submersible during his visit to France in November 2019. "Yes, we went to see the Scorpene," Lorenzana confirmed to the PNA but did not give additional details. The DND chief arrived in the Philippines after his trip to France nighttime of December 2.
Lorenzana said the Scorpene is one of the submersibles being evaluated by the PN for its planned submarine arm. The Scorpene-class submarine features a diesel and additional air-independent propulsion. It can be armed with a variety of mines, torpedoes, and missiles for a variety of missions. It also has a top speed of 20 knots.
The DND chief added that should the PN submarine acquisition program pushed through, it will be acquired via government-to-government procurement. "The submarine, if we finally decide to buy them, will be on a government-to-government procurement and under a loan so that we do not need a large upfront capital outlay," he added in an earlier interview. Aside from the French-made Scorpene, Lorenzana said the DND is looking at proposals made Russia, South Korea and Germany.
A video of a submarine along the coast of Manila was making the rounds online in January 2022, falsely claiming in its caption that the government purchased two Russian submarines as part of the Philippine Navy’s modernization program. The Philippine Navy does not have any submarines in its fleet inventory. While there are plans to acquire two medium-sized submersibles to boost its fleet, it is not under the tiered acquisition timelines of the Philippine Navy Modernization program.
The 27-second video, uploaded by Facebook (FB) page Pangga Sean TV on Jan. 16, was captioned: “Philippine Flag is waving | Russian Submarine?” The original clip was posted by a TikTok user on Jan. 15. A similar version of the clip, but with different music, was uploaded by another TikTok user on Nov. 18, 2021, just as the Russian Navy docked in Manila. On Nov. 17, 2021, two Russian submarines along with a corvette (a small warship), a tanker, and a support vessel docked at Manila Bay for a friendly, unofficial visit to resupply, according to reports by the Russian Embassy in Manila, Esquire Philippines, and Inquirer.net.
While the Philippines is planning to acquire its first submarine, it still remains under development as it is a "very large commitment" for the country at present, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said 25 May 2023. The plan to acquire submarines for the Philippine Navy (PN) is not off the table, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said, adding that there are offers from different countries not only for submarine acquisition, but also for domestic assembly and construction of naval assets.
“There is a plan. But it’s still being developed dahil ang commitment para mag-operate ng submarine is not a small commitment. It is a very large commitment because of the training that is involved, the equipment that is involved and the operational requirements that are involved are quite significant,” President Marcos said during a media interview following his attendance at the 125th anniversary celebration of the Navy in Manila.
“So, it is still part of our plan. But right now, we are in the middle of developing mostly our anti-submarine capabilities. So, ‘yun ang uunahin natin and then hopefully when the time comes and the conditions are agreeable then we might be able to acquire those submarines.” Multiple countries made an offer not only for completely-built submarines, but also to build them here in the Philippines, said the President, stressing the importance of the offer particularly for the country’s defense and local job generation.
“If they are built here and we can actually build submarines here and provide those submarines to other countries then that’s another source of jobs, and of income and increased capability for our Navy.” In 2022, the Department of National Defense (DND) said that procurement of submarines for the PN was not a priority, stressing that it was focusing on the implementation of modernization contracts signed by the previous administration. A defense official said that although submarines were on their wish list for Horizon 3, the Department is prioritizing the implementation of such contracts, “cognizant of the limitations in the resources available to the government.”
Capt Thomas Bainon, a contributing member of the Editorial Board of Marine Review, noted that "Submarine operation in littoral zone operation is a contested environment similar to the Archipelagic coastal waters of the Philippine seaward portion and is predominantly considered as confined and shallow waters (with depths less than 200 meters), narrow straits, jagged and rugged coastlines, tidal areas as well as extensive seabed flats, underwater hills and mountains, shoals, and river estuaries.... A poor Navy that possess an inventory of a diesel electric submarine can provide a force multiplier to her fleet in the areas of conflict in contested waters, and can provide fighting capabilities for gaining sea control in the arena of a contested environment."
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