The announcement about the Philippine Navy’s two Jose Rizal-class frigates upgrade came days after China released its latest version of its territorial map covering the boundaries in the South China Sea, including areas within Manila’s territory.
In a statement provided to Naval News on September 6, Naval Group confirmed the anti-torpedo reaction module was successfully installed into the C-Guard decoy launching system of the Philippe Navy’s two Jose Rizal class frigates.
This anti-torpedo system is fitted with its associated reaction module Contralto, which computes the most appropriate evasive maneuver and deployment sequence once a threat is detected.
Naval News visited the manufacturing site in 2019. Here is our video coverage:
Representatives from the Philippine Navy, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Ministry of Defense, and experts in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) systems witnessed the setting and testing of the module at Subic-Agila Bay, Philippines, on August 31, 2023.
The commissioning of the ASW Module and CONTRALTO anti-torpedo reaction module completes the armament of the two Jose Rizal-class frigates acquired as part of the modernization of the Philippine fleet.
The successful installation of the anti-torpedo system was carried out after an upgrade of the Combat Management System (CMS) supplied by Hanwha Systems of South Korea and of the C-Guard decoy launcher systems supplied by Terma of Denmark.
Armed Forces Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said earlier the country needs more ships, aircraft, and air defense systems.
“If we had more budget, we wanted to buy a submarine. Almost all ASEAN regions have submarines and we don’t have one. We need to strengthen our own presence in the West Philippine Sea but this will entail more funds from our side.”
General Romeo Brawner Jr, Armed Forces Chief
Last month, the Philippines accused China Coast Guard for using water cannons against a Philippine Coast Guard vessel escorting civilian supply boats delivering food, water, fuel and other supplies to troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal).
The BRP Sierra Madre is a World War II-era naval ship that was deliberately run aground in the shoal in 1999 to serve as the country’s military post there.
