Tensions in the West Philippine Sea have intensified in recent years, leading both China and the Philippines to position their military forces in the area. However, the Philippines faces a significant challenge: its military capabilities are nowhere near China’s. The naval forces are central to this issue. Although Philippine warships patrol the sea, they are not a match for China’s far superior fleet. Critics have pointed out that the Philippine navy, especially its warships, are smaller, with weaker firepower, and the government spends much less on its navy than China does. The big question is: Can Philippine warships hold up against China’s navy? Let’s compare their strengths.
The pride of the Philippine navy is the Jose Rizal-Class frigates. There are two of them: the BRP Jose Rizal and the BRP Antonio Luna. These ships, deployed in the West Philippine Sea, have participated in various drills and even test-fired anti-ship missiles alongside foreign militaries. But how powerful are these ships?
Ordered in 2016 and built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, the Jose Rizal-Class frigates are based on South Korea’s Incheon class and are the most advanced combat ships in the Philippine navy. These frigates are equipped with modern technology and weapons, marking a significant modernization of the country’s naval forces. They displace 2,600 tons, are 353 feet long, and have a variety of weapon systems, including anti-ship missiles and advanced sonar.
Despite this modernization, the Jose Rizal-Class frigates are still no match for China’s navy. China’s navy is far ahead, boasting advanced warships like the Fujian aircraft carrier, which displaces over 80,000 tons. An aircraft carrier serves as a floating air base and allows for extended military operations. China also has some of the most advanced destroyers, such as the Type 055 Renhai-class, which displaces 12,000 to 13,000 tons. In comparison, the Jose Rizal-Class frigates’ 2,600-ton displacement is much smaller, indicating fewer weapons and less capability.
Additionally, the Philippines has other naval ships, but they are still lagging behind. For example, the Del Pilar-class offshore patrol vessels, originally part of the U.S. Coast Guard, have been modernized but are still outdated compared to China’s equipment. Even newer additions, like the Acero-class patrol gunboats, are much smaller and weaker compared to China’s warships. While these patrol boats are equipped with missiles and machine guns, they are designed for smaller missions and cannot compete with China’s larger fleet.
What makes China’s navy even more formidable is its fleet of submarines, which the Philippines currently lacks. China has one of the largest and most advanced submarine fleets in the world, while the Philippines has none. According to GlobalFirePower, China has over 730 naval assets, including 61 submarines, 49 destroyers, and 42 frigates. In contrast, the Philippines has only 111 naval assets, many of which are small patrol vessels.
In conclusion, the Philippine navy is much weaker compared to China’s naval forces. One of China’s aircraft carriers alone could pose a serious challenge to the entire Philippine fleet. Given these limitations, the Philippines may need to rely on strong international alliances, such as its relationship with the United States, to defend its interests.