PCG to get 40 French patrol boats as result of DOTr deal with shipbuilder

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is set to acquire 40 units of 35-meter Fast Patrol Craft (FPC) after the contract signing between the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and French shipbuilding company OCEA on May 22, 2025. (Photo from PCG’s Facebook page)

MANILA, Philippines — Forty units of 35-meter Fast Patrol Craft (FPC) from France are set to be acquired by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

This development comes following a contract signing between the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and French shipbuilding company OCEA.

In a statement on Friday, PCG said the boats are expected to increase the PCG’s maritime presence and rapid response capabilities nationwide.

“These assets will be utilized to advance President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s directive to the PCG to expand its operations amid complex maritime challenges,” said the PCG.

The agency identified these challenges as “the growing maritime traffic, rising incidents of illegal activities at sea, and tensions in the West Philippine Sea.”

PCG will deploy the fleet across the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

“These floating assets shall also allow the PCG to facilitate faster and more effective responses to maritime threats,’ it said.

The threats include “illegal fishing, smuggling, piracy and maritime terrorism,” noted the Coast Guard.

The boats will also be used in “enhancing interoperability with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and international partners,” it added./apl