Defense department opens bid to buy frigates

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The defense department formally opened on-line today public bidding to prospective sellers of warships to be bought by the Philippine Navy under the military's modernization programs, it was learned.

The Department of National Defense (DND), through its website, opened a public bidding for the acquisition of two brand new frigates projected to improve the capability of the military in territorial defense.

The DND said funds to be used in the acquisition of frigates will be drawn from the $1.73 billion earmarked under the 5-year armed forces modernization act signed into law by President Benigno Aquino III.

Fernando Manalo, DND undersecretary who chairs the DND Special Bids and Awards Committee, said a pre-bid conference is scheduled on Oct. 11 and the deadline for bid submission is Oct. 25.

He stressed that bidders, ought to have completed similar project for the last 10 years, must have ability to deliver the frigates within 1,460 days upon the opening of the Letter of Credit.

"The acquisition of the two frigates is part of the Navy's force-mix program to attain the minimum credible defense posture. These will also enhance the Navy's vision to become a true blue water Navy as we aim to be really strong and credible," said Navy spokesman Lieutenant Commander Gregorio Gerald Fabic.

Defense officials, who set aside original plan to buy low-cost but high maintenance cost second hand fully-equipped Maestrale- class frigates from the Italian Navy in favor of acquiring relatively expensive but low maintenance cost brand new ones, said they were hoping for delivery of warships before Aquino's term ends in 2016, even if their turn-over is still expected to extend beyond.

The Philippine Navy acquired in August from the United States its second Hamilton-class cutter, two years after getting its first one. The government spent $23 million for the two ships.