South Korea will transfer an ageing Pohang-class
anti-submarine warship to the Philippines this year in return for just 100
dollars, the defence ministry said on Thursday, boosting its capability to
patrol vast maritime borders.
Outside the U.S., its former colonial master and long-time
security ally, South Korea has been largest source of Philippine military
hardware, from fighters and patrol ships to armored vehicles and army trucks.
Manila received two FA-50 light fighters from Seoul on
Wednesday and two more will be delivered next month to complete the 12
aircraft, 18 billion peso (359 million dollars) deal.
The Philippines has expressed interest to acquire six more
similar planes.
“We are hoping to receive the vessel within the year,”
defence spokesman Arsenio Andolong said of the warship.
“The transfer will be in the form of a donation. We will pay
a token $100, but the corvette will still undergo refurbishment.”
He said he has no idea how much the Philippines would need
to spend to repair and restore the warship.
Andolong said the Philippines may acquire up to three such
warships, which Seoul is replacing with newer and faster vessels.
“This may be an old ship but it will definitely enhance our
capability to patrol our waters and perform counter-terrorism measures,” he
added.
South Korea has donated a lot of military hardware to the
Philippines and has expressed gratitude for Manila’s role in the 1950 to 1953
Korean War.(Reuters/NAN)
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