Japan Delivers the Largest Flagships for the Philippine Coast Guard

The Philippines’ newest and most advanced coast guard vessel, the BRP Melchora Aquino, has passed stringent sea trials in Japan and is on its way home. It is expected to arrive in the country on June 1, 2022. The BRP Melchora Aquino is a 97-meter multi-role response vessel built using Japanese technology. It is based on Japan’s Kunigami-class cutters renowned for their stability and versatility. 

Underwater Robots

The BRP Melchora Aquino along with its sister vessel, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, are named after two of the Philippines’ most prominent heroines. The ships are built by Japan’s Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. The BRP Teresa Magbanua was commissioned into service by the coast guard on May 2, 2022. 

The two vessels were built through a Y16.5-billion loan from the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and are set to become the largest flagships of the Philippine Coast Guard.

The Kunigami-class vessels come with an underwater robot or a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for subsea surveillance. Apart from underwater surveillance, underwater robots are also used for search and rescue operations. 

Designed for Law Enforcement Duties

In a statement released by the Philippine Coast Guard in July 2021, it was revealed the BRP Melchora Aquino and the BRP Teresa Magbanua will focus on law enforcement duties in Philippine waters. 

Both ships will add to the deterrence capabilities of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea, a hotly contested area claimed by China and Vietnam, among other countries.