Philippine Navy Amphibious Transport: These ships can be divided into 4
categories for purposes of discussion:
1.Traditional LST type ships. According to Jane's Fighting Ships 1995-96, the
Philippines operated sixteen(16) medium to large transport ships. This includes
seven(7) LST 512-1152 4,080-ton Ex-WW II transports, two(2) Frank Besson
4,265-ton transports, one(1) Japanese-made 2,727 ton attack transport, the "El
Presidente"(Ang Pangulo), one(1) Alamosa 7,570-ton Ex-WW II transport, one(1)
Balsam 1,041-ton Ex-WW II tender, and four(4) Ex-U.S. Army (FS 381) 950-ton
tenders. There are also about 40 assorted LCM/LCUs. Due to the ongoing
ship-overhaul program of the Philippine Navy, the number of LST-type ships
reported by Jane's Fighting Ships may be underestimated.
This is the 4,265 ton BRP Bacolod City, a Besson Class Logistic Support
Amphibious ship of the Philippine Navy. It has a bow ramp for landing troops and
vehicles. In the stern is space for the transportation of up to 150 troops and
also a helicopter platform for a light helicopter is built over the stern of the
vessel.
Aerial view of the BRP Bacolod City, a Besson Class Logistic Support
Amphibious ship. Shown clearly over the stern is the helicopter platform for a
light helicopter.
This is the ex-USS Garrett County now in service with the Philippine Navy as
the BRP Kalinga-Apayao. This 4,080 ton LST 512-1152 amphibious ship and its
sister vessels have been modified by the Philippine Navy to serve as
mini-helicopter carriers, each with two(2) UH-1H helicopter gunships amidship.
It is armed with six(6)Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft guns.
Side view of another 4,080 ton LST 512-1152 amphibious ship.
Drawing of the Balsam class ship, a 180 footer.
The 1,041 ton Balsam class ship. A helicopter deck has been installed on the
Philippine Navy version. Usually, it carries a 20mm gun and two 12.7mm heavy
machineguns. During wartime it can also carry a 76mm gun.
2.Halter
Marine Patrol Craft. According to Marine Log magazine, March & July 1995, as
well as Jane's Fighting Ships 1996-97, the Philippine Navy will have
nineteen(19) Halter Marine 78-footer patrol craft by the end of 1996. Curiously,
these patrol craft each carry a "Zodiac" type assault boat, and a tiny crane to
lower the "Zodiac" into the water. The Zodiac boats can carry from 6 to 8
lightweight Philippine Marines or SEAL troopers. Furthermore,early this year,
Jane's Defense Weekly reported that the MM.15 missile was installed and
successfully test-fired from one of these Halter Marine craft at speeds of 30
knots.
3.The Philippine Navy operates motor-powered native outriggers(see picture)
to transport ground troops as a cost-saving measure and for unconventional
warfare operations. They are similar to the ones used by other Pacific islanders
in Hawaii & Tahiti. The number of outriggers operated is unknown, but in one
operation in mid-1995, Philippine Constabulary troopers from Jagna (Bohol
island, Central Philippines) used thirty(30) motor-powered outriggers to search
for illegal fishermen.
A motor-powered native outrigger
4. The Naval Auxiliary transport fleet of the Philippine Navy composed of the
various Filipino shipping companies includes about thirty eight(38) modern fast
ferries such as the 41 meter Supercat ferry plus hundreds of miscellaneous
passenger and cargo ships. The Philippine Navy Auxilliary is currently organized
into eighty eight(88) Reserve Units divided further into naval auxilliary
squadrons. These shipping companies have also embarked on a massive expansion of
their fast ferry fleet including construction by Aboitiz Inc. of the bigger and
faster 45 knot Tricat ferries in Cebu island, central Philippines.
This forty one(41) meter long Marinteknik SuperCat fast ferry can carry over
300 troops at a speed of 36 knots. This ship and its sisters are operated by
Aboitiz Co. of Cebu island, Central Philippines.
Besson Class pictures copyright of
http://www.naval-technology.com and Halter-Marine. Native Outrigger photo
copyright of Chuck Gardner. Color photo of LST copyright of Riverine Navy in
Vietnam web page. Black and white LST ship picture copyright of SHWV image
library page. Balsam class drawing and picture copyright of U.S. Coastguard.
Super Cat ferry picture copyright of Aboitiz Equity Ventures. Fast ferry totals
and figures are for 1997. Naval Auxilliary figure is for 1998.
