The Philippine Navy is exploring ways to collaborate with the Turkish government in current efforts to modernize its Navy.
Chief of the Philippine Navy Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo told the Philippine News Agency that a delegation visited Turkey last week at the invitation of Turkish state-owned defense contractor the Military Factory and Shipyard Management Corporation (ASFAT).
"The visit was also an opportunity for the Turkish government to showcase their defense capabilities to us through ASFAT, Turkish navy, and other agencies," Bacordo said adding that ASFAT is particularly interested in providing capacity and technology solutions, and participate in acquisition projects for naval vessels and other defense equipment.
"Their main selling point is their centuries-old and proven shipyard capability that guarantees the quality of work and long-term integrated logistics support," he said.
Bacordo said that the successful engagement with Turkish Naval Forces could jumpstart future cooperation in maritime security through joint exercises, personnel exchanges, and education and training.
ASFAT undertook the manufacturing of Turkey's domestic warships under a project dubbed MILGEM (National Ship). The Turkish navy has so far received four Ada-class corvettes as part of the project and the TCG Istanbul, the first frigate and largest warship domestically designed and manufactured by Turkey, which was recently launched.
Those Ada-class corvettes are not only operated by Turkey but they have also enabled the country's defense industry to make one of the worthiest exports in its history. The Pakistan navy signed a contract with ASFAT in July 2018 to acquire four MILGEM-class ships.
Four ships are being manufactured for the Pakistani navy with the project including production at Pakistani ports and technology transfers.
Ukraine is also a buyer of such corvettes with the possibility of technology transfers included.
Turkey 1 of 10 nations that can build warships from the ground up: ErdoÄŸan
President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan announced in January this year that Turkey is among 10 countries that can design, build and maintain their own warships. "We will bolster our navy power in five years with five major projects," ErdoÄŸan said during a speech at the launch ceremony of an Istanbul frigate.
Along with the launch of the Istanbul frigate, the ceremony also marked the groundbreaking of the third ship to be constructed for the Pakistani navy under the MILGEM project. ErdoÄŸan pointed out the exceptional defense relations between the two countries, which "has great potential.".
The MILGEM project was initiated in 2000 to locally design and build a fleet of multipurpose corvettes and frigates that will replace older ships. Turkey has built four corvettes so far in line with the program.
ErdoÄŸan said the number of projects in the Turkish defense industry has taken a significant leap from 2002, increasing from 62 to almost 700. With this increase, according to the president, Turkey has become a country that develops its domestic industry but also meets the needs of its allies.
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