THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has said it is planning to buy a submarine for the Philippine Navy (PN) to strengthen and improve its security capability.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Oban said the Navy’s Philippine Fleet is doing a study about the acquisition of such a submarine. It is conducted by the fleet’s office of plans and programs under Lt. Cmdr. Merlito Martinez.

The AFP chief stressed, however, that they are looking at the long-term prospects of acquiring a submarine for the Philippines because the vessel costs billions of dollars.

Oban said the PN is now meeting with international counterparts to assess the plan’s feasibility.

He said the Navy may acquire the submarine not later than 2020, depending on the political and administrative atmosphere.

Oban said Navy needs to patrol the country’s territorial waters undetected, thus the need for a submarine.