DND Draws up Bidding Documents for Purchase of New Frigates

Incheon class frigates (photo : militaryphotos)

(DF/IMP) -- THE Department of National Defense (DND) is now drawing up the necessary papers as it chose the public bidding option for the purchase of brand-new frigates.

This was confirmed by DND Spokesman Peter Paul Ruben G. Galvez. “I believe the office handling the acquisition is finalizing the papers for public bidding.”

Galvez, acting chief of staff of Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin, spoke to the BusinessMirror after Philippine Navy (PN) spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic confirmed news reports that the Philippine Navy is seeking to acquire two brand-new frigates.

“It makes sense for the Philippine Navy, for us, for the government to settle for something new,” Galvez said, adding that the first option of buying second-hand frigates on a government-to-government method would be costly in the long run.

“It’s like buying a car that you would need to spend an additional more to overhaul.”

Galvez said while the government-to-government method is also effective, “it’s different this time.”

“We believe that if we invest that amount to be spent for an upgrade, rather than spend it for an overhaul, it would even be beneficial to the country,” he said.

Initially, the bid amount was pegged at P11.7 billion (288 mio USD).

(Business Mirror/DF)