Philippines said today it is purchasing a surplus French Navy vessel to boost its forces in the South China Sea where it has an ongoing territorial dispute with China.
The 26-year-old “La Tapageuse” vessel is likely to be the first of several French ships that will be acquired by the Philippine coastguard as it contends with increasingly assertive Chinese forces.
The 54.8-metre patrol ship will cost €6 million (RM26 million) and is due to arrive in the country by April next year, a coastguard statement said.