French firm waiting for PH’s final decision on submarine deal

French shipbuilder Naval Group on Thursday said they are still waiting for the final decision of the Philippine government on its offer to provide its services for the acquisition of submarines.

“We understand the administration is working on Horizon 3 investment plan, so we are now just waiting for the final decision to start the project and when to start,” Naval Group corporate sales director for Philippines Loic Beaurepaire said in a media briefing.

Beaurepaire added that a financing plan has also been offered to the Philippines for the project.

On Wednesday, Naval Group opened its Philippine Office as the firm expressed its commitment to develop naval capabilities for the country.

“By opening this Naval Group representative office here in Metro Manila today, we have one wish in mind: provide your navy with the autonomy and capacities that it deserves,” Naval Group executive vice president Marie-Laure Bourgeois said during the inauguration.

French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz said Naval Group made its first technical and financial offer to support the Philippine Navy in establishing its own submarine force in 2020.

In May, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the Philippines is planning to acquire submarines after the development of its anti-submarine capabilities.

He said the acquisition "is still part of our plan", but he said the country is in "the middle of developing mostly our anti-submarine capabilities."

“Yun ang uunahin natin (We will prioritize developing our anti-submarine capabilities first),” Marcos said.

“And then maybe, hopefully, when the time comes and the conditions are agreeable then we might be able to acquire those submarines,” he added.

Aside from submarines, Naval Group also expressed willingness to work on the submarine base of the Philippine Navy in Agila Subic.

“The Philippine Navy has chosen Agila Subic as the location for the submarine base. The location presents amazing strategic advantages, with its deep waters and localisation, and access to a civilian shipyard, which will ensure availability of workforce to sustain the fleet,” the firm said.

“Naval Group will support the Philippine Navy in designing and retooling the location in Agila Subic to make it a modern Naval Base,” it added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News