South Korean shipbuilder eyes support for PH Navy’s submarine program

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During a meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Gyeongju, Hanwha Ocean executives informed President Marcos 'of their plans for the deployment of KSS-III PN submarines equipped with modern sonar and combat systems,' says Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines – South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean wants to support the submarine program of the Philippine Navy, Malacañang said on Saturday, November 1.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a press statement that Hanwha Ocean executives discussed this with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea.

“President Marcos met with shipbuilding giant Hanwha Ocean to discuss its proposal to support the Philippine Navy’s submarine program through the construction of a submarine base, the establishment of a local maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center, and the training of Filipino naval operators, maintainers, and commanders using advanced simulators and systems,” the PCO said.

“Executives of the Hanwha Ocean informed the President of their plans for the deployment of KSS-III PN submarines equipped with modern sonar and combat systems and lithium-ion batteries for longer underwater endurance, along with technology transfer and partnerships with local industries to advance the Philippines’ self-reliant defense capability,” it added.

In February, Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said that it’s a “dream” for an archipelago like the Philippines to have submarines to boost its defense capability amid China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea. He had said that “it’s really difficult to defend that entire archipelago without submarines.” – Rappler.com