Want To Know Who We May Face

The recent events that unfolded between China and the Philippines over a shoal in the Spratlys gives a face to the potential adversary we may face. These are the photos of the ships that has been identified by the Philippines Navy.

Source : A view of Chinese surveillance ships in a standoff with a Philippine warship on the Scarborough Shoal after eight Chinese fishing boats were caught poaching in the disputed territory. The photo was presented by Vice Admiral Alexander Pama, flag officer-in-command, during a press briefing Wednesday April 11, 2012, at the Department of Foreign Affairs. PHILIPPINE NAVY HANDOUT

A more clearer photo of one of the two vessels and their specifications.

No 84 with a displacement of 1740 tons, the maximum speed of 18 knots, about 5,000 nautical miles endurance, self-sustaining force 40 days; No 75 ship paralleled twin, full load displacement of 1317 tons not less than 20.6, speed, endurance of 5,000 nautical miles, holding force 30 days into the column on October 26, 2010 (Source)

It was later reported that a third ship the Yuzheng 303 below that seems to be armed was sent as reinforcement while the Philippines seems to have withdrawn their biggest warship that our opposition likes to compare with as a cheaper purchase alternative.

In any case it must be remembered that usually nations do not send warships for such confrontation unless they want it to be escalated, but it makes you think what the Chinese thinks of the Patrol Vessel that seems to be much vaunted by our opposition. Let me let you in on a secret, this is the BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15)) vessel specifications. DO remember it is a second hand ship in the first place.

In the meantime, the Chinese continues to play. Perhaps confident that underneath the sea and beyond the horizon, they have something more hefty to depend on.

A Philippine navy photo shows Chinese surveillance ships off Scarborough Shoal.