Decades-old Australian ships bought by PHL for P240M arrive in Cebu

Three decades-old ships bought by the Philippines from Australia for P240 million have arrived in Cebu over the weekend, a military official said Monday.

Capt. Lued Lincuna, chief of the Philippine Navy's Public Affairs Office, said Australian ships formerly known as formerly known as HMAS Balikpapan, HMAS Wewak and HMAS Betano arrived in Cebu on Saturday.

Lincuna said that ships, which were transported by the NTG Shipping are now undergoing minor repairs and refurbishing at a shipyard in the province.

The Navy spokesperson added that ships had no armament and will be fitted with cal.50 machine guns.

Lincuna said that the Australian ships have been scheduled for commissioning during the Navy's 118th founding anniversary on May 25 in Cavite province.

He added that the Navy leadership has yet to agree on the names of the three ships.

Lincuna said that the ships, which Australia used for at least four decades, "will bolster the Philippine Navy's humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations."

“The acquisition of additional capabilities of our Navy further translates into offering better service to our maritime nation as we continue to protect our country, step up commitment for HADR and our continuing pledge to provide assistance to our Filipino people in all corners of the archipelago,” said Lincuna.

He added: “These new assets are manifestations of our Navy’s optimum readiness to perform its tasks and the ability to adapt vis-a-vis the emergent operating environment."

The ships, he said, will also be used for the deployment of troops during amphibious operations.

Last year, the Australian government donated two ships formerly HMAS Tarakan and HMAS Brunei.

The Australian Navy said that Balikpapan, Wewak and Betano served as its workhorses during the last 40 years.

It said that the ships “supported a wide range of military, peacekeeping and humanitarian exercises and operations around Australia and the Indo-Pacific region.” —ALG, GMA News