Phillipines Spends $15 M on 2nd US Hamilton-Class Cutter

PF-16 Ramon Alcaraz (photo : Timawa)

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines (Xinhua) - The military said today that it is spending more than P600 million ($15 million) for the acquisition of a Hamilton-class cutter from the United States.

Philippine Navy Chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said the second US ship costs $5 million more than the first Hamilton-class cutter which the government bought under the US Excess Defense Articles Program.

"We are installing lots of equipment in the (second) ship," said Pama in an interview after the opening of the Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2013.

The ship is set to leave the United States by January next year after the refurbishing and training of Filipino personnel are completed.

(PhilStar)