Philippine, Italian Navies in talks on possible shipbuilding technology transfers

The Philippine Navy and the Italian Navy have commenced discussions on the possible technology transfers to help the Philippines expand its own naval and commercial shipbuilding capabilities.

Speaking to reporters during a press briefing on Tuesday, March 18, Philippine Navy spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos said that it is through "technology transfers with other like-minded nations" that the Philippines will be able to build suitable vessels for military as well as commercial use.

Alcos added that, for the Philippine Navy to further develop its own capabilities, it must also interact with "like-minded nations" whose navies have been specialising in certain capabilities.

The Philippine Navy's long-term goal is to reduce its reliance on foreign support in the acquisition of warships and other combat-capable assets.

One of the navy's first steps towards this goal is delegating some of the manufacture of its Acero-class fast attack interdiction craft (FAIC) to local facilities.

The Acero-class FAICs are variants of the Shaldag Mark V fast attack craft built by Israel Shipyards. The first examples of the Acero-class were manufactured entirely by Israel Shipyards at its Haifa facilities while four examples had their final outfitting undertaken at the Philippine Navy's Cavite Naval Yard south of Manila.