In signal to China, Obama to give 2 ships to Philippines

[Rangila]

Just two smaller ships?
A drop in the ocean?
Lip service?
Or hip service?
Not at all convincing though.
Thanks US, but no thanks.

 

[Economic superpower]

Jlaw account has been hacked.

Zhang Fan account has been hacked.

Watch out.

 

[bsruzm]

I don't think it is about ships or their numbers that people should be concerned with, that it is an open challenge of U.S. (NATO and some regional countries), I think.

 

[Dungeness]

It was the US retired warship (BRP Gregorio del Pilar ) that costs Philippine Scarborough shoals in 2012.

 

[Oublious]

@bsruzm What President Obama say to Philippines ... give 2x ships to deal with China ? Next time ask U.S to provide 200x more ... two is much less to play game with ships of China Coast Guard in SCS, let alone PLAN.

View attachment 272839

How many of that ships are combat ready? And what is the current state of that ships? Are they equipt with the modern standarts warefare? The seize don't much matter anymore.

 

[Huan]

''MANILA, Philippines (AP) — With a towering warship behind him, President Barack Obama announced Tuesday that the U.S. will hand over two ships to the Philippine Navy to boost its maritime security capabilities, in a bid to show the U.S. and its allies won't be cowed by China in disputed waters far off its coast.

Obama said the pair of ships — one U.S. Coast Guard cutter, one research vessel — were part of a broader American plan to scale up assistance to naval forces in Southeast Asia, where coastal nations feel threatened by China's aggressive moves to assert control over the South China Sea. Obama said the U.S. had an "ironclad commitment" to the Philippines — a U.S. treaty ally — and a mutual commitment to free and safe navigation at sea.

"More capable navies, in partnership with the United States, are critical to the security of this region," Obama said as he opened a six-day tour of the Philippines and Malaysia. He said the ships would help the Philippines navigate and patrol its territorial waters.

Obama never mentioned China by name as he stood in front of the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, a onetime U.S.-owned frigate, but the intended recipient of his message was clear. As regional tensions with China have simmered in recent years, the U.S. has sought out symbolic ways to counter Beijing's claims in the region without putting itself in direct confrontation with the powerhouse nation.

Earlier this month, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter boarded a U.S. aircraft carrier plodding through the South China Sea, a week after a U.S. Navy destroyer patrolled within seven miles of a reef where China is building an artificial island and has asserted a 12-mile territorial boundary. The U.S. has refused to comply with China's self-proclaimed air defense zone over the nearby East China Sea.

Obama's announcement came at the start of his ninth trip to Asia, and this one, like the others, was designed to illustrate his efforts to strengthen alliances as part of his seven-year campaign to increase U.S. influence in Asia.

"You can count on the United States," the president said.

During back-to-back summits in Manila and Kuala Lumpur, Obama planned a particular focus on touting the Trans-Pacific Partnership that the U.S. recently struck with 11 other nations — China not included. The sweeping free trade agreement is at the heart of Obama's Asia policy, but its prospects for ratification by U.S. lawmakers remain uncertain.

Flanked by U.S. and Philippine troops, Obama said he would seek to provide another $140 million in maritime security aid to Southeast Asia next year, although it was unclear whether Congress would approve those funds.

The Philippine government's eagerness for more muscular U.S. military assistance here illustrates how concerns about China appear to have superseded the nation's resentment of its former colonial master and its reluctance to give U.S. troops free reign. Yet while Obama's commitments fall short of what some countries in the region have sought, not all of that is Obama's doing.

On his last trip here, in 2014, Obama signed a defense cooperation pact allowing the U.S. to base troops temporarily at some military camps, but a legal challenge has delayed implementation. Although the country's pallid military has struggled to push back effectively against China, the Philippine constitution bars permanent U.S. bases.

Six Asian countries assert overlapping claims to parts of the South China Sea, and Beijing is locked in a parallel dispute with Japan and South Korea over the East China Sea. China views control of the waters, with their abundant underwater oil deposits and strategic shipping lanes, as key to its rise as a major economic and military power.

China's ongoing march in contested waters has become a major tension point with the U.S., joining cyber-spying, human rights and trade disputes. Still, Obama has sought to foster a productive relationship with China, striking major deals with Beijing over climate change.

Yet, Obama's desired emphasis on U.S.-Asia ties is being overshadowed by global hand-wringing over the Islamic State group's ghastly attacks in Paris. Meeting Tuesday with Australia's new prime minister, Obama called for better outreach to Muslim communities to prevent radicalization.

"We will continue shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. and our allies in the fight against this type of extremist violence," said Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Associated Press writer Jim Gomez contributed to this report.'' Yahoo news

@oproh

LOL, Obama could not even give the Philippines 1 or 2 Arleigh Burke-class missile destroyers instead?

 

[Nilgiri]

India ought to give its godavari frigates to PH/Vietnam once they are retired. A negotiation can be made to pay only for refurbishment as required. They will make a more sizeable presence compared to these US coast guard cutters and other freebies the US can give countries.

What do filipino/viet members think?

 

[badguy2000]

I don't think it is about ships or their numbers that people should be concerned with, that it is an open challenge of U.S. (NATO and some regional countries), I think.

It is a open signal in fact that USA can not afford the duty to protect its little brothers ,but spritual/oral support and 2wrecked ships.

 

[bsruzm]

It is a open signal in fact that USA can not afford the duty to protect its little brothers ,but spritual/oral support and 2wrecked ships.

I wouldn't underestimate it and read U.S. carefully in general.

 

[Godman]

India ought to give its godavari frigates to PH/Vietnam once they are retired. A negotiation can be made to pay only for refurbishment as required. They will make a more sizeable presence compared to these US coast guard cutters and other freebies the US can give countries.

What do filipino/viet members think?

I think Philipines would choose to buy a modern ship or start a Joint Venture with Indians to deisgn a new class of ships based on an existing class in the Indian Navy

Philippines have good shipbuilding capabilities
Philippines emerging as shipbuilding hub - Nikkei Asian Review

 

[Nilgiri]

I think Philipines would choose to buy a modern ship or start a Joint Venture with Indians to deisgn a new class of ships based on an existing class in the Indian Navy

That is an option as well. But their military budget is quite limited so I am saying with that in mind.

Philippines Push For Military Modernization in New Budget Proposal | The Diplomat

With that in mind even a Saryu-Class OPV is about 100 million USD.

INS Saryu (P54) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'm not questioning PH shipbuilding capabilities, but engaging the relevant resources to churn out military vessels is a question of finances for them....I mean why else are they relying on donations from US in the first place. So a refurbishment of a strong proven platform (adding whatever new sensors, weapons platforms you want etc) should be looked at by PH.

At least Vietnam is acquiring Gepard frigates from Russia....though they also need to ramp up their capabilities in the near and long term I feel.

 

[Dungeness]

India ought to give its godavari frigates to PH/Vietnam once they are retired. A negotiation can be made to pay only for refurbishment as required. They will make a more sizeable presence compared to these US coast guard cutters and other freebies the US can give countries.

What do filipino/viet members think?

mmm, sounded like a real rich superpower!

 

[bsruzm]

mmm, sounded like a real rich superpower!

*Cough*

 

[Nilgiri]

mmm, sounded like a real rich superpower!

You do not need to be a superpower to help friends.

 

[Godman]

LOL, Obama could not even give the Philippines 1 or 2 Arleigh Burke-class missile destroyers instead?

That will need enourmous training not just because its a destroyer but because the Aegis system as well.
Then the costs of maintinging those systems and high tech electronics etc.