The Philippine Navy (PN) said that the acquisition of anti-submarine vessels must be paired with helicopters with similar abilities to maximize their capabilities.
According to the Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo made this response when asked on whether the Navy are planning to acquire additional units of AugustaWestland (now Leonardo) AW-159 "Wildcat" anti-submarine helicopters which are now in the naval inventory.
"The plan to acquire additional AW-159s is connected to the plan to acquire more platforms or more ships (with anti-submarine warfare capabilities). If you notice, we will be having two 'Jose Rizal' class frigates, (FF-150) and (FF-151), that's the reason why we have two AW- 159s. Once our plan to acquire two additional corvettes (are finalized), then we will also procure two additional AW-159s."
Bacordo added that the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities of both the AW-159s and two Jose Rizal-class frigates are "further strengthened" once they operate in tandem.
He said this is why there is a need to procure additional ASW helicopters once the corvette project pushes through.
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