The Philippine Navy will acquire six offshore patrol vessels from Austal, Australia’s largest shipbuilder, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed on Thursday.
While details of the purchase are not immediately available, Lorenzana said the vessels would be built in Austal’s Philippine shipyard in Cebu.
“Dito na gagawin sa ating bansa sa Cebu..Sa Balamban lahat. Maganda ito kasi it will be made in the Philippines,” he told reporters in a press briefing.
Aside from the Philippines, Austal has shipyards in US and Australia and service centers around the world. It builds defense and commercial vessel platforms.
On Thursday, the Philippine Navy successfully tested its first missile system off Lamao Point in Bataan.
The weapons were fired from the three multi-purpose attack craft and hit the designated target.
Lorenzana said that the Philippines will purchase more missiles in the future. “We are getting more of those kasi nga we are acquiring more vessels eh.”