Philippines acquires light boats for riverine operations, plans to acquire more assets

One of the new riverine light boats of the Philippine Army. Photo c/o Philippine Army.

The Philippine Army (PA) announced that it has started receiving deliveries for a total of 52 light boats that it ordered from a local boatbuilder.

These boats are to be used for riverine operations by the PA’s Special Forces Regiment, which includes a riverine battalion.

The PA described that the boats can carry 8 fully-armed soldiers, and can reach a maximum speed of 25 knots.

According to Filipino defense page MaxDefense Philippines, the boats are just the first part of a larger plan that includes the integration of larger assault and support boats to improve its riverine and inshore capabilities.

These were said to be results from lessons learned from their combat experience during the Battle of Marawi in 2017 when terrorists used lakes and rivers to move and get supplies.

The boats were acquired under the Riverine Operations Equipment project, which MaxDefense Philippines explained as a 3-lot project. The light boats are part of the 1st lot, while succeeding lots are still in pre-procurement stages and may take more time before a contract can be reached.

The PA’s 4th Special Forces Battalion is the service’s primary riverine operations unit, and has received small boats to improve its capabilities in the last decade.


[1] Philippine Army
[2] MaxDefense Philippines