Korean shipbuilder launches first of two new corvettes for the Philippines
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| Launch of new corvette, the future BRP Miguel Malvar (FF-06). Photo c/o HD HHI. |
South Korean naval shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) held the launching ceremony for the first of two new large corvettes built for the Philippine Navy.
The ceremony was held on 18 June 2024 at HD HHI’s shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner and Philippine Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr., leading representation from the Philippines, with Philippine Special Envoy to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Mrs. Monica Prieto-Teodoro leading the christening on the ship.
Republic of Korea Navy Deputy Chief of Naval Operations Vice Admiral Kang Dong-Gil and South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration Deputy Director Mr. Kang Hwan-Seok, as well as officials from HD HHI were also present.
The ship, which will be named the BRP Miguel Malvar (FF-06) once commissioned with the Philippine Navy, is 118.4 meters long, has a maximum breadth of 14.9 meters, and displaces at around 3,200 tons.
The ship is powered by four MTU-STX diesel engines in Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) configuration allowing the ship to achieve a cruising speed of 15 knots, a maximum speed of more than 25 knots, and a maximum range at cruising speed of 4,500 nautical miles.
It will be equipped with an Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid naval gun, two quadruple launchers for LIG Nex1 SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles launched from Vertical Launching Systems (VLS), two triple torpedo tube launchers, a gun-based close-in weapon system.
According to Filipino defense page MaxDefense Philippines, French-made VL MICA short-range surface-to-air missiles from MBDA was selected by the Philippine Navy, potentially launched from two 8 or 12-cell VLS launchers.
It also appears that the Philippine Navy selected the Turkish-made Gokdeniz 35mm CIWS, and potentially a 30mm SMASH remote-controlled secondary naval gun, both from Aselsan, which are installed at the hangar superstructure deck.
MaxDefense Philippines also confirmed that the ship is equipped with the Hanwha Systems Naval Shield Integrated Combat Management System, an IAI EL/M-2258 ALPHA air/surface search 3D AESA radar, Hensoldt Sharpeye Mk. II navigation/secondary surface search radar, Selex NA-25X fire control radar, Safran Paseo XLR electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) system, a hull mounted sonar, and fitted for but not with a Towed Array Sonar.
The future BRP Miguel Malvar is schedule to undergo sea trials and complete fitting works prior to its delivery to the Philippine Navy which is scheduled by either late 2024 or early 2025.
The second ship of the class, which is expected to be named as the future BRP Diego Silang (FF-07) is under construction and is expected to be launched by December 2024.
[1] Korea Times
[3] Philippine Defense Resource
Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal
on
June 19, 2024
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