MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Contrasting the numerous foreign shipbuilders on the show floor of the 5th iteration of the Asia Defense and Security Exhibition (ADAS) was the only producer of active Philippine Navy combat vessels, the Propmech Corporation. The Subic Bay-based shipbuilder, which traditionally focused on commercial maritime endeavors and maintenance, has supplied the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other agencies with fast attack craft and small boats. Citing these programs, Propmech President and CEO Glenn Tong voiced to Naval News the company’s readiness, and willingness, to provide more domestically produced vessels.
The company’s flagship product, the Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC), dates back to a time before the recent push for Philippine military modernization. In the late 2000s, Manila faced separatist groups in Mindanao and required fast and nimble vessels to pursue and quickly insert troops within the archipelago and other waterways. However, the budget and requirements for the boats were deemed too costly by foreign suppliers and the bidding process failed three times before Propmech stepped in.
“So we took the challenge, a local company. We said we’ll try to get you 99% of what you want at your budget. And we succeeded in that with the first MPAC,” said Tong.
Partnering with Lungteh Shipbuilding, a Taiwanese shipbuilder responsible for the Republic of China Navy’s new minelayers and missile corvettes, the joint venture yielded the first generation of MPACs in 2009. Successive generations after the original Taiwanese design have since evolved the attack boat’s mission profile from fast troop insertion transport to the country’s first-ever missile boat. “It’s evolved, twice, into a larger, faster with bigger engines, higher top speed, with troop capabilities, but later on, missile capabilities, and allowed the Philippines to have its first missile craft and for it to get into a different level of capabilities. Rather than working with a lot of the older assets that they had. But it’s funny that it all started because there wasn’t enough budget to buy from foreign companies,” said Tong.
A total of 12 MPACs split between three variants have been delivered and commissioned into the Philippine Navy’s Littoral Combat Force between 2009 and 2019 in batches of three. The first six vessels of the class from the Mk 1 and Mk 2 variants could rapidly disembark 16 troops using the assault ramp at the vessel’s bow. MPAC Mk 3, designed with territorial defense operations in mind following tensions in the South China Sea, sacrificed the assault ramp and halved the troop complement for the installation of Israeli remote-controlled weapon systems and Spike – Extended Range anti-tank guided missiles. These missile-armed vessels are split between the 3rd and 4th Boat Attack Divisions, which are located in Palawan and Mindanao respectively.
These improvements in Mk 3 made MPACs the Philippine Navy’s first-ever missile-equipped vessels in 2018. The service conducted its first missile launch the same year. Based on its experiences with the Mk 3, Tong explained that the fourth batch was a repeat order of the same variant. He also added that Propmech had more designs ready for future orders, although the demand has yet to come through from Manila. 2
“We actually have other variants that have been designed, with similar form but have not yet been accepted for production. And I guess that part of the reason for that is that in the Philippines, there’s the current situation, that there’s tension in the region, and they’re looking at certain sizes of vessels to supplement what they feel they need,” said Tong, referring to the service’s shift from operations in Mindanao to the more open South China Sea.
However, Tong stated that if the Philippine Navy sent the go-ahead for a fifth batch of MPACs, the new design would be faster and have “enhanced capabilities.” In 2018, the service stated that it would need 42 MPACs and planned to use them in swarming operations against enemy vessels intruding into the country’s waters. However, as noted by Tong, the rougher sea states and conditions of blue water operations have influenced the Navy in procuring larger assets.
In September, a model of what appeared to be an MPAC with a small stern launching ramp was seen in the office of Philippine Marine Corps Commandant Maj. Gen. Arturo G. Rojas. When inquired about this potential interest from the Marines, Tong explained that as one of the primary beneficiaries of MPAC, there have been preliminary discussions with the force on their variants.
“I think that the Philippine Marine Corps is quite admirable, in that they have a clear idea of what they want. I’m not saying that the others don’t have their plans, but I think that the Marines are one of the groups that have a very clear set of plans. Now, if supported by the government, they have certain capabilities that they really enjoy with the MPAC. The insertion capabilities in shallow waters, the ability to bring troops to key areas. This combined, with some other things, makes the Marine Corps actually one of the groups that really appreciates a lot of the capabilities of the MPAC. So yes, there are some discussions to have some variants, but I think it’s too early to talk right now if it will really happen.”
The Philippine Marine Corps has been undergoing a reorganization as the country shifts from internal security to territorial defense operations in the West Philippine Sea, a section of the South China Sea that Manila claims as its exclusive economic zone. A key component of the new force design is the creation of four specialized Marine forces. These include Coastal Defense Forces, Special Operation-Capable Forces, Littoral Maneuver Forces, and Archipelagic Maneuver Forces. Currently, the Philippine Marine Corps has formations such as the Coastal Defense Regiment and two Marine Amphibious Readiness Units trained to operate amphibious assault vehicles from the Navy’s Tarlac-class landing platform docks. The force also stood up its first Maritime Security Battalion this summer, which operates Propmech’s Fibreglass Reinforced Plastic Boats.
Originally intended for the riverine operations around the country’s south similar to the MPACs, the 13-meter-long fast boats use diesel engines, which Tong claimed came from a Marine Corps requirement regarding cost. He also added that the hull properties and propulsion design allow for better impact resistance, durability, and maneuverability.
Like the MPACs, recent shifts in Manila’s force posture have pushed the Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Boats to their limits with deployments to the South China Sea. Over the summer, Manila has deployed a large quantity of the boats to Palawan, with many seen docked at Naval Detachment Oyster Bay and ashore at Tarumpitao Point. The vessels were seen in small boat operations and amphibious landing drills during Spring’s Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum and the more recent KAMANDAG U.S.-Philippine Marine Corps drills. A photo released by Global Times of the June 17th incident around BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) at Second Thomas Shoal also depicts one of these Propmech-built vessels facing off against a China Coast Guard craft.
“The Marine feedback is that, because it’s a very extreme situation, they always need them to be running. And so we’ve been working hand-in-hand with the maintenance group to make sure as many of the vessels are in operation as possible. Just like anything, if you bang them around a lot before it does need some maintenance, and they’re being used for much rougher requirements than they were designed for, but I think they’ve been performing quite admirably, and I think that it’s been a testament to how brave the Marines are that they’ve been going out to these small vessels and really doing their duty for the nation.”
Throughout the interview, Tong emphasized the need for the Philippines to invest in domestic shipbuilding industries to support the nation’s push for a blue economy and self-reliant defense posture. While Propmech was the only Philippine company to have its vessels serve in frontline combat roles within the country’s fleet at ADAS 2024, he also commended the efforts of other shipbuilders and for a future where Manila could construct and maintain its vessels.
“The fact that we’ve been here for 70-plus years, I hope it comes as one of the good guys, and there are lots of other good companies out there that are trying to do something for the nation. We hope to be part of this total solution, something that we can be a part of, something bigger and better to make the Philippines a great maritime nation. That’s my hope.”
