The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is set to expand its fleet with two Marine Protector-class patrol vessels transferred by the United States.
The vessels are expected to arrive in Manila waters in October 2026 and will be commissioned as BRP Pag-asa (PATS-2701) and BRP Patag (PATS-2702).
The new patrol vessels will strengthen the PCG’s capabilities in search and rescue, maritime safety, marine environmental protection and maritime domain awareness.
The transfer follows the completion of specialized operational and maintenance training by 24 PCG crew members in Baltimore, Maryland. The personnel graduated from the training program on August 20, 2026.
The PCG said the vessels will improve its ability to safeguard Philippine waters and respond to emergencies at sea, including oil spills and other marine environmental incidents.
“BRP Pag-asa (PATS-2701) and BRP Patag (PATS-2702) will strengthen the Philippine Coast Guard’s operational efficiency in safeguarding the country’s vast waters. They will enhance our ability to conduct maritime safety operations and respond to emergencies at sea, including oil spills and other marine environmental protection challenges," PCG Spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said.
The initiative is part of the longstanding maritime partnership between the Philippines and the United States and supports their shared commitment to maritime security and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The acquisition also supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas” vision through the PCG’s Organized National Engagement (ONE) at Sea strategic concept and Intensified Community Assistance, Awareness, Response, and Enforcement (iCARE) campaign.
To remind, in June this year, the US government transferred four Ocean Aero Triton autonomous underwater and surface vehicles (AUSVs) to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).