Philippine Navy Fleet Inventory 🇵🇭

The Philippine Navy is currently shifting from a focus on internal security to developing a credible deterrent capability for territorial defense. This strategic reorientation is driven by the country's archipelagic nature and the complex security environment in the South China Sea. For decades, the navy was primarily equipped for constabulary duties, but it is now undergoing a significant effort to enhance its maritime defense posture.

Central to this modernization is the "Strategic Sail Plan 2020" and its successor, the "Horizon" program, which outlines a multi-phase acquisition plan. The navy is progressively acquiring more capable surface combatants, a stark contrast to its previous fleet, which largely consisted of aging vessels with limited offensive and defensive capabilities. Key acquisitions include new-build frigates and corvettes, which for the first time provide the navy with modern anti-air, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and electronic warfare capabilities. The commissioning of the Jose Rizal-class frigates marked a significant milestone, and the recent launch of the first of two new corvettes from South Korea, the BRP Miguel Malvar, further advances this agenda. These vessels will be equipped with anti-ship missiles, vertical launch systems, and modern radar systems.

The navy's strategy emphasizes creating a "credible deterrent" through a fleet-in-being approach, where even a smaller, capable force can influence the calculations of a larger adversary. This involves not just acquiring new platforms, but also integrating them with long-range sensors and developing the doctrine to use them effectively. The navy is adopting a distributed force posture, spreading its assets across several regional naval commands to ensure a presence in all key maritime sectors. This allows for flexibility and rapid response, with the ability to form scalable naval task forces for specific contingencies.

Shipbuilding and acquisition programs are heavily reliant on international partners, particularly South Korea and the United States. Future plans reportedly include the acquisition of diesel-electric submarines and additional offshore patrol vessels, which would significantly enhance the navy's sea denial and control capabilities. The operational reach of the Philippine Navy is expanding with the induction of these new assets. While historically limited, the new frigates, corvettes, and strategic sealift ships provide greater endurance and the ability to project power further from shore. The navy is also investing in unmanned systems, such as the MANTAS T-12 unmanned surface vehicles, for maritime surveillance.