Philippines commissions granted Pohang-class corvette from South Korea

The BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39). Photo c/o Inquirer.net.

The Philippine Navy (PN) commissioned its newly acquired Pohang-class corvette granted by the South Korean government, in ceremonies held on 5 August 2019 in Jinhae Naval Base in South Korea.

The former ROKN Chungju (PCC-762) of the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) is now called the BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39) in PN service, and will be assigned with the Offshore Combat Force (OCF).

Senior officials from the Philippines’ Department of National Defense (DND), South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense (MND), the PN and ROKN were present during the hand-over and commissioning ceremonies.

According to Filipino defense page MaxDefense Philippines, the corvette has been granted to the Philippines in 2017, but delays in funding for rehabilitation of the ship and training of PN personnel pushed the hand-over by more than a year. It was also mentioned that the ship underwent dock repairs with STX Shipyard in Busan, South Korea including refitting works and machinery repair.

The ship is armed with two Oto Melara 76mm naval guns, two Otobreda 40mm twin guns, two triple Mk.32 torpedo tubes, several 12.7 heavy machine guns, and two depth charge racks.

It was also mentioned that the PN is trying to negotiate for the transfer of at least two more Pohang-class corvettes, which they will use to replace World War 2 era ships that are lined up for retirement soon.

The BRP Conrado Yap will be sailing for Manila soon, and will be escorted by the PN’s landing platform dock BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602) which came from Vladivostok, Russia to attend the Russian Navy day anniversary last week.


[1] Philippine Daily Inquirer
[2] MaxDefense Philippines