PI Wants a Third Hamilton
In the past couple years the Philippine Navy took possession of a pair of recently retired “378” Hamilton class High Endurance Cutters from the USCG. Although over thirty years old, they were far more modern and better equipped than anything afloat under the Philippine flag. They are set up just for offshore patrol however and are armed simply with a 76mm OTO Melara forward mount and a new Mk 38 Mod 2 auto-cannon and soft-kill countermeasures. However the Agusta Westland AW109 Power flown from its deck allows a greatly enhanced patrol area.
A few months ago the Navy passed on getting a third, but now, with China ramping up tensions in the Spratleys, they are reconsidering.
Philippine Navy’s BRP Ramon Alcaraz, (formerly the USCGC Dallas, WHEC-716, served 1968-2012)