Philippines finds French Scorpene-class ideal for submarine requirements

A Scorpene-class submarine for the Brazilian Navy under construction in NG's facility in France.

The Philippines’ Department of National Defense (DND) confirmed that the French-made Scorpene-class diesel-electric attack submarine was found to be ideal for the submarine requirements of the Philippine Navy (PN).

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana mentioned that this was after his team visited French shipbuilder Naval Group (NG) in France and checked the Scorpene-class submarine.

According to Philippine defense page MaxDefense Philippines, at least 2 submarines are planned for acquisition for the PN, although 3 submarines is also possible depending on costs and budget. The Scorpene-class is competing and is against other submarine manufacturers, with South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) with its Improved Chang Bogo-class, Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) with the Type 209/1400 and Type 214, Russia’s Admiralty Shipyards with the Kilo-class Project 636, and others.

The DND eyes to have the selection completed soon, with the contract signing with the selected government made by 2020 and delivery of submarines by 2027.

Most of the competitors are supported by their governments in providing assistance in terms of submarine and munition purchase, support, and consulting and construction of infrastructure requirements and training.

The DND plans to purchase the submarines under a Government-to-Government deal and using a loan to finance most of the cost, allowing the Philippine government to reduce the initial capital outlay.

If acquired, these submarines would be a first for the PN, which has not operated submarines since its precursor’s formation in 1898.


[1] Philippine News Agency
[2] MaxDefense Philippines
[3] Inquirer.net