Philippines to acquire 40 fast patrol craft with French support to counter Chinese incursions.

On November 5, 2024, the Philippine National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., approved a plan for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to acquire 40 fast patrol craft (FPC). This $439 million project, funded by official development assistance from France, stipulates that 20 of these FPCs will be built domestically. The acquisition addresses an increase in confrontations with Chinese vessels, aiming to bolster the PCG's operational capabilities.
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Commissioned in May 2022, the BRP Teresa Magbanua later sustained damage in August 2024 after being rammed by a China Coast Guard vessel while monitoring activities at Escoda Shoal. (Picture source: Philippine Coast Guard)

The acquisition is expected to enhance the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s response efficiency in various mission areas, including search and rescue, environmental protection, maritime law enforcement, and disaster response. NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan stated that the project supports the government’s goal of strengthening maritime security, addressing illegal activities, and maintaining maritime sovereignty. PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan noted this purchase as the largest in the PCG’s modernization efforts, with a goal of deploying at least two patrol boats per district.

The PCG’s modernization is further supported by proposed legislation from Senator Bong Go, introducing the Philippine Coast Guard Modernization Act. This act proposes a trust fund to support capability improvements across the PCG's core mission areas: maritime safety, search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental protection. If passed, the fund, administered by the DOTr, would finance equipment acquisitions, facility development, and personnel training, with a focus on resources such as marine-environment-resistant weapons, remotely operated submersibles, and interoperable communication systems.

Although specific details about the patrol vessels have not been publicly disclosed, it is notable that France, through its shipyards, has previously supplied patrol boats to other nations. For example, French shipbuilder OCEA has delivered FPB 72-type fast patrol boats to various countries, including the Philippines. However, it remains unconfirmed whether the new patrol boats will be of the same type or a different model. This acquisition comes amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea, where incidents involving Chinese vessels have been reported. Strengthening the PCG’s capabilities is thus viewed as a strategic measure to protect Philippine maritime interests and assert sovereignty in contested areas.

Recent incidents in the West Philippine Sea have underscored the need to update the PCG’s capabilities to address ongoing challenges in the region. Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels have engaged in actions such as harassment, blocking maneuvers, use of water cannons, and collisions that have impacted Philippine vessels. These incidents, near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) and Ayungin Shoal, have caused structural damage to PCG and civilian vessels and disrupted routine patrols and resupply missions. CCG and CMM vessels have deployed high-pressure water cannons and conducted blocking maneuvers, creating operational challenges and safety risks for PCG personnel.

Multiple reported events indicate an ongoing pattern of obstruction by CCG and CMM actions against Philippine humanitarian and routine maritime operations. Examples include the deployment of barriers by CCG vessels at locations like Scarborough Shoal and Ayungin Shoal, as well as collisions with PCG and civilian vessels causing various damages. Additional tactics have included the use of laser devices and flares directed at PCG and Philippine Air Force patrols, further complicating operations in these areas. The recent approval by the Philippine government to acquire new fast patrol craft and upgrade PCG equipment aims to enhance maritime law enforcement and meet operational needs in contested regions.