Philippine National Police to buy additional vessels

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is planning to acquire 18 additional patrol boats to further strengthen its coastal monitoring and counter-drug-smuggling capabilities.

This latest planned procurement of 18 patrol boats follows an earlier order for 28 vessels, seven of which have already been delivered to the PNP Maritime Group (PNP-MG).

The remaining 21 units of the 28-vessel order are scheduled to be turned over to the PNP-MG within the year, as are the 18 new patrol boats that the agency plans to purchase.

The PNP has stated that a portion of its 2019 budget will be allocated for the planned 18-boat procurement but has not provided details on the new vessels’ specifications, manufacturers, cost, and delivery timeline.