Ten Naval Carriers for the Philippine Navy?

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It’s not improbable, in fact, it’s possible and doable. In about three years the Philippine Navy may be able to possess a number of naval carriers as arsenal ships or as platforms for anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, Long Range Multiple Launch Rocket System (LR-MLRS) and helicopters, if and only if, the Philippine Navy, and the government at large, will abandon the tenets of orthodoxy and traditionalism in the procurement of military assets. Hence, in the process of reinventing itself, it may find prudence and the practicality, of using the hulls and superstructures of five to ten years old merchant ships, available for sale in the world market. The size and dimension of which, may depend on its intended purpose.
The Strategic Sea Lift Vessels (SSV) procured from Indonesia’s PT PAL had cost the Armed Forces roughly around US$ 160 million; both SSV has an average length of 123 meters. The equivalent amount of money which may be allotted for future SSV may largely be used instead, to acquire civilian vessels, and subsequent retrofitting, that may include but not limited to, the installation of hangars, combat management system, sensors, radars, target designation pods, sonar, launching pads and the like. Large cargo ships and container vessels were built to handle large and heavy bulk cargoes. It has the space and robustness to handle the size and weight of large naval weapons. 


The price in the world market for used merchant ships may range from US$5 million-US$10 million, depending on size, age and condition. There are current offerings that are bigger, even twice the dimension of the Navy’s newly acquired SSV. The point in fact, is that the affordability level of on, or about US$160 million can go a long way, even perhaps to the extent of partial weapons acquisition and installation.
The use of merchant ships for warfare is not something new; it was in practice since the Second World War. The recent testament to its viability is MAERSK‘s M/V Cragside that was built in 2011 and subsequently, was put into leased with the US Navy’s Sea Lift Command since 2014, or maybe so, (..the sleek, capacious ship was fitted with a rear ramp for loading vehicles; it has a flight deck big enough for the largest, heaviest U.S. military helicopter, the Navy’s MH-53E. Cragside will also be able to support Army Apache gunship, Navy patrol helicopters, Special Operations Command Little Bird attack copters and even Marine and Air Force V-22 tilt rotors. Cragside’s hangar is big enough to hold two Navy helicopters at the same time for maintenance—and has the special, subtle lighting that allows crews to use night-vision goggles. Add it all up, and you’ve got a floating air base, barracks and headquarters for Navy Seals and Army Delta Force. – an excerpt from “War is Boring”.)
Said to be a
 picture of M/V Cragside by Reddit.com
The Philippine Navy’s ability to expand its procurement horizon towards unorthodox platform and weaponry may earn it the credibility it is aspiring for, in a much shorter period of time. Again it will require a pragmatic mind. If the will persist, a way will exist.
Buy them in a day;
Put the trash away;
Paint them gray;
Put bombs that sway;
A Navy night and day;
Sail away; GOD be in your way.


(Note: All images are for illustration purposes only)

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