(Photo courtesy of PNA)
The Philippine Navy is set to receive another modern guided-missile frigate by 2029 following the start of construction of the warship by South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) on November 4.
Navy public affairs office chief Capt. Marie Angelica Sisican said the steel-cutting ceremony marked the official beginning of production of the first of two additional guided-missile frigates acquired to strengthen the country’s archipelagic defense capabilities.
“The steel-cutting ceremony is a major shipbuilding milestone that signifies the initial cut of steel and the formal start of production activities. Delivery of the first frigate is scheduled for 2029,” Sisican said in a statement Friday.
The new 3,200-ton warship will adopt the hull design of the Philippine Navy’s Miguel Malvar-class frigates, making it the third vessel of its class in the fleet.
According to Sisican, maintaining a common design across the frigates will improve operational interoperability, simplify maintenance, and streamline crew training.
The Navy has yet to announce when construction of the second additional frigate will begin. Based on HD HHI’s typical production schedule, work on the second vessel could start about a year after construction of the first ship is underway.
Sisican said the acquisition reflects the Navy’s continuing modernization efforts aimed at developing a more capable fleet, strengthening international defense partnerships, and protecting the country’s maritime interests and sovereignty.
The Philippine Navy currently operates two Miguel Malvar-class guided-missile frigates built by HD HHI in Ulsan, South Korea.
The BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-6) was laid down on November 22, 2023, launched on June 18, 2024, and commissioned on May 20, 2025.
Its sister ship, the BRP Diego Silang (FFG-7), was laid down on June 14, 2024, launched on March 27, 2025, and commissioned on December 2, 2025.
Both warships measure 118.4 meters in length and 14.9 meters in width, with an operational range of 4,500 nautical miles and a cruising speed of 15 knots.
Capable of reaching a maximum speed of 25 knots, the frigates are equipped with advanced sensors, surveillance systems, and weapons platforms designed for multiple combat operations.
These capabilities allow the vessels to detect, track, and engage threats from the air, surface, and underwater environments, strengthening the Navy’s ability to conduct maritime security and defense missions.
The additional frigates are expected to further enhance the Philippines’ naval presence and operational readiness as the country continues to modernize its maritime defense forces.
