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US Issues Tenders for Philippine Boat Repair Hubs Near Second Thomas Shoal

Planned under a partner-led deterrence approach, the dual-use installations will service small craft used for resupply operations boosting Manila’s maritime reach.

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Philippine Fast Attack Interdiction Craft maneuvers as it participates in a joint Philippine military drill Nov. 6, 2024, at the disputed South China Sea, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila,file)
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Overview

  • Tenders have been issued for repair and maintenance facilities in Quezon municipality and Oyster Bay, with site selections and specifications confirmed by the US Embassy.
  • Both hubs will support 7.32-meter rigid-hulled inflatable boats and other small conventional vessels deployed for missions near Second Thomas Shoal.
  • Construction planning is now under way pending final approvals and contractor selection for the western Palawan projects.
  • The initiative reflects a shift toward low-footprint, dual-use infrastructure to strengthen Philippine operational independence.
  • The effort deepens US-Philippine defense cooperation that has expanded since 2022 to counter Beijing’s South China Sealaims.