Philippines: State of Submarine Forces in ASEAN 2023 – 7

The seventh ASEAN country, this time seeking a future submarine force, in my series, concerns the Philippines.

2 or 3 boats possible.

 

Probably the Chang-Bogo-class or Scorpene-class

 

Another country that has long aspired to have a submarine service is the Philippines. The much anticipated program aiming to procure submarines, began in 2014. This was part of an extensive fleet modernisation program. Submarine procurement plans were delayed in October 2022 in the face of limited funds and higher priorities.

The Philippine Navy has a huge task adequately protecting all of the sea space to the north, south, east and west of the many Philippine islands and also between those islands. Map courtesy Encyclopedia Brittanica.
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Nevertheless, the two submarine models most often mentioned for procurement are the French Naval Group designed Scorpene-class, and the South Korean DSME Improved Chang Bogo-class a variant of German TKMS designed Type 209. These were shortlisted by the Phillipines Navy as of 2019.  PHDefenseResource has a comprehensive page on Philippines' selection steps and thinking.

 

Naval Group is in broader ‘duel’ with DSME for Indonesian submarine contracts as well. This may lead to DSME offering the Philippines very favourable loan terms for their submarines. This is especially as South Korea and the Philippines are extending their military ties more broadly, with the Philippines already operating two South Korean built Jose Rizal-class light frigates from from HHI and 12 KAI FA-050PH aircraft.

 

For Naval Group’s part, it could conceivably now offer Scorpene variants built by India's Mazagon Docks (the Kalvari class) or by PT PAL in Indonesia (if Scorpenes win the Indonesian submarine tender). France is already training a small number of Philippine Navy sailors on submarine operations. 

As of May 2023 this submarine acquisition project is still active. As with most submarine projects the period between winning a tender and first commissioning a submarine may be up to 15 years.

Shawn Chung

June 7, 2023