The Department of National Defense (DND) will source six new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) of the Philippine Navy from Austal Philippines, a Filipino-Australian ship building company located in Cebu.
The government is allocating PHP 30 billion (USD 572.8 million) for the ships and prefers a government to government procurement method. The OPV variant offered by Austal Philippines is larger than what is currently use by the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Border Force. It will include a dedicated helicopter flight deck, Austal’s latest MarineLink ship control system and ride control technology.
Austal Philippines has been in the country since 2011, from which it was able to deliver 17 commercial ships to 10 operators from nine countries. It recently expanded its facility in Cebu which will allow them to work on large vessel projects for hull assembly, final outfitting, and painting. Thus, the company will not only have the capability to build the six OPV for the Philippine Navy but can also service and maintain them. In addition to its shipyard in the Philippines, Austal has shipbuilding assembly yards in Australia, US, and Vietnam
(Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine News Agency, Naval Today)
