The Philippine Navy’s modernization program marked a new milestone on Monday, Jan. 19, with the arrival of its latest offshore patrol vessel, the future BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20), at the Naval Operating Base in Subic, Zambales.
The vessel, which sailed from South Korea, was met off the coast of Zambales by the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), the Navy’s first missile-capable frigate, for a traditional meeting procedure.
The future BRP Rajah Sulayman is the lead ship of a new class of six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) being built for the Philippines by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).
According to the Navy, the remaining five vessels in the class are currently under construction and are scheduled for delivery by 2028.
The Navy stated that the ship’s arrival is a significant addition to the fleet’s capacity for territorial defense and maritime patrol.
The vessel is now slated to undergo a series of technical acceptance and pre-commissioning processes before it is formally integrated into active service.
This acquisition is part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ ongoing efforts to phase out aging World War II-era assets and replace them with modern platforms capable of long-range and sustained maritime operations.