A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF HDP-2200 OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL OF THE PHILIPPINES AND DDG X DESTROYER NAVAL SHIP OF USA

Abstract

This study compared expert perceptions of the Philippine HDP-2200 Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) and the U.S. DDG(X) destroyer to explore differing approaches to naval design within the context of Asia-Pacific maritime security. The research aimed to identify key factors influencing naval power projection decisions and to contribute to broader discussions on maritime security in the region. A quantitative comparative research design was employed, using a validated survey questionnaire administered to ten maritime professionals five naval architects and five ship designers. The questionnaire evaluated both vessels in terms of fuel efficiency, passenger capacity, operational effectiveness, speed, and safety features, using a Likert scale. Data analysis involved frequency counts, percentages, weighted means, and the Mann-Whitney U test to determine significant differences in assessments between the two respondent groups. Expert assessments consistently rated the DDG(X) higher than the HDP-2200; however, the extent of this difference varied notably between naval architects and ship designers. Ship designers reported a significantly larger performance gap (U = 99, p = 0.00652) compared to naval architects (U = 157, p = 0.25014). Overall, the difference in evaluations between the two groups was statistically significant (U = 533, p = 0.01046), indicating that professional background plays a significant role in the assessment of naval vessel performance. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating diverse expert perspectives when evaluating naval vessel performance. Future research should explore the specific factors contributing to these differing assessments and examine their implications for naval design and acquisition strategies in the Philippines.