Philippines in discussions with South Korea for DSME-1400 diesel-electric attack submarine package

 

An example of a DSME-1400 submarine, this one with the Indonesian Navy.

Officials from the Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) has met with officials from the South Korean government and shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) to discuss regarding the South Korean offer for submarines for the Philippine Navy (PN).

DND Assistant Secretary for Logistics and Acquisitions ASec. Jesus Rey Avila visited the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) Submarine Force Command to discuss on the transfer of technical know-how on submarine operations to the PN, restarting the International Submarine Education and Training Program (ISETP) for PN officers, and other issues including those related to submarines under the Navy-to-Navy talks.

The visit also includes the ROKN's submarine facilities and training venues. 

ASec. Avila also visited DSME's shipbuilding facilities related to submarine construction, and met with DSME officials on its offer to provide a Total Solution Program for the PN's Submarine Acquisition Project, which includes the delivery of DSME-1400PN small diesel-electric attack submarines, technical and logistics support, training, and maintenance.

A meeting was also held between ASec. Avila and officials from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and the Korean Export-Import Bank to discuss on the soft-loan financing package being offered for the submarine solution.

The Philippine Navy has announced plans to acquire at least 2 submarines to be ordered under its Horizon 2 modernization phase covering years 2018 to 2022. More submarines are planned on succeeding programs beyond 2022.

South Korea is among the countries providing an offer to the Philippine Navy, competing with offers from France, Russia and Turkey.

Last March 2021, the Philippine Navy's Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo visited the French Navy and Naval Group to discuss about a packaged solution offer based on the Scorpene-class submarine.

In April 2021, Vice Adm. Bacorodo visited Turkish shipbuilder ASFAT Inc. and discussed about offerings to the Philippine Navy including existing offers for the Submarine Acquisition Program based on an improved variant of the Reis-class (Type 214) submarine.

This was followed 2 weeks later by a visit by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana to the Turkish Ministry of Defense and shipbuilder ASFAT, which also touched the submarine offer by the Turkish government.




[1] Jane's
[2] Naval News
[3] Philippine Defense Resource