Philippine frigates reach launching, keel laying milestones

The PN frigate, the future BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150). Photo c/o MaxDefense Philippines.

South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) launched the first Jose Rizal-class frigate it is building for the Philippine Navy (PN), the future BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150).

The ship was launched on 23 May 2019 at HHI's naval shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea.

The frigate is scheduled for delivery to the PN by September 2020, 

HHI and the PN also held the Keel Laying Ceremony of the second ship of the class, the future BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), which was also held on 23 May 2019. Launching of the second frigate is expected to happen in a few months, and delivery planned by mid 2021.

The Jose Rizal-class frigates are the first frigates purpose-built to the requirements of the Philippine Navy 

It would be armed with an Oto Melara 76/62 main gun, an Aselsan Smash 30mm remote  gun system, four LIGNex1 SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship cruise missiles, two twin Simbad-RC launchers for MBDA Mistral VSHORAD system, and two triple torpedo launchers. 

Allocation was also made for a future Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) and an 8-cell Vertical Launching System (VLS).

HHI is also competing to supply two corvettes to the PN, which is expected to be awarded before end of 2019.



[1] Philstar.net
[2] GMA News
[3] MaxDefense Philippines