Today, two Cyclone-class patrol vessels transferred from the U.S. were commissioned into the Philippine Navy at the service’s headquarters. Philippine and American officials attended the ceremony, which is the latest transfer of defense assets under Washington’s efforts to bulk up Manila’s naval forces amid regional tensions in the South China Sea.
BRP Valentin Diaz (PS-177) and BRP Ladislao Diwa (PS-178), formerly USS Monsoon (PC-4) and USS Chinook (PC-9), were transferred to the Philippines in April immediately after being decommissioned from active U.S. service. They were the last Cyclones in the U.S. Navy until their transfer, marking an end to the patrol ships’ American service history. Now named after Filipino heroes, they will continue to serve. From April to August, the ships were made ready for Philippine service. Some sensors and equipment, such as Satellite Communications (SATCOM), were removed prior to the transfer, but the ships themselves were refurbished.
In Philippine service, BRP Valentin Diaz and BRP Ladislao Diwa will join BRP General Mariano Alvarez (PS-38), the former lead ship of the Cyclone-class USS Cyclone (PC-1) which was transferred in 2004. All together, the three will be known as the Alvarez-class patrol vessels. They will serve in the Littoral Combat Force, the Philippine Fleet’s command responsible for coastal defense, littoral patrol, and interdiction missions.
All of the former U.S. Navy Cyclones were donated to the Philippines via Excess Defense Articles. This program transfers used U.S. assets to partners at a reduced price or a grant. In May, the U.S. announced its intentions to transfer four former U.S. Coast Guard patrol boats, bringing the total amount of patrol vessels transferred or to be transferred this year up to six.
From a Sinking Exercise off Western Luzon at the Balikatan drills, to four new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites, and the first-ever trilateral Philippines-U.S.-Japan Coast Guard exercise, American-Philippine defense ties have deepened amid regional tensions with China. Transfers of equipment and pledges of material and training support have been offered to Manila over the last year by other partners, such as Japan, Australia, India, and Canada.
Last week, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG-114) conducted a joint sail in the West Philippine Sea. According to press releases the purpose of the sail was to train in division tactics, the maneuvering of vessels in a formation. This activity marked progress on the joint SCS patrol Manila and Washington plan to do before the end of the year.
