The Philippine Navy’s (PN) first and newest missile-guided corvette was finally launched in Ulsan, South Korea this week, a move seen to bolster the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) deterrence capabilities amid the rising tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. led the inauguration of BRP Miguel Malvar (FF06), which was named after Philippine independence activist and revolutionary General Miguel Malvar, at the shipyard of its South Korean manufacturer, the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), on June 18.
“The event underscored the DND and AFP's commitment to fostering cooperation with the Korean government to ensure principled peace in the Indo-Pacific region. It also highlighted the strategic framework of collaboration and capability-building between the two countries,” DND spokesperson Director Arsenio Andolong said on Friday, June 21.
BRP Miguel Malvar is the first of the two vessels that will be acquired by the PN through its Corvette Acquisition Program. The DND and HHI signed a P28-billion contract for the project in 2021 which would provide the PN with two corvettes. with anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare capabilities.
According to HHI, the vessel is a 3,200-ton, state-of-the-art surface combatant which measures 118.4 meters in length and 14.9 meters in breadth, with a cruising speed of 15 knots (about 28 km/h) and a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,330 km).
It is equipped with advanced weapon systems such as anti-ship missiles, vertical launch systems, and 3D AESA radar.
The vessel will undergo sea trials and outfitting before it is delivered to the PN by 2025. The second corvette, whose keel was laid on June 14, is also scheduled to be launched in December this year and delivered next year.
During the launching ceremony, Teodoro emphasized the DND's commitment to partnering with companies from countries that align strategically with the Philippines, such as the Republic of South Korea.
The defense chief also highlighted the quality and reliability of South Korean products as he noted that future acquisitions would adhere to the new defense concept adopted by the Philippines and dubbed as the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).
The CADC seeks to develop the country’s capability to protect and secure the entire Philippine territory and exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and ensure that all the bounties of the natural resources within them will be freely reaped by the Filipinos.
Teodoro said that key considerations for future acquisitions in line with the CADC include supply chain reliability, redundancy, corporate good governance, and the overall value for money.
He stressed that the acquired capabilities “must significantly contribute to establishing a credible deterrent posture for the Philippines.”
“Moreover, Secretary Teodoro expressed his desire to instill the Korean value of ‘indomitable spirit’ or ‘bulguleui jeongsin’ within the AFP. This value, characterized by standing up for what is right and showing unwavering resilience, has been pivotal in the progress and prosperity of South Korea. He believes it can similarly inspire the Philippines to reach its full potential,” Andolong noted.
Meanwhile, Teodoro extended his gratitude to the Republic of Korea for its “steadfast” support of the Philippines’ position in the WPS, particularly in opposing unilateral aggression and illegal actions by the People's Republic of China.
Teodoro's wife, Mrs. Monica Louise Prieto-Teodoro, special envoy to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), accompanied him during the ceremonial launching of the ship. Mr. Lee Sang Kyun, CEO of HHI, was also in attendance, underscoring the collaborative effort between the two nations.
Also present were DND Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reserve Affairs Pablo M. Lorenzo, and DND Undersecretary for Acquisition and Resource Management Salvador Melchor B. Mison; AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., PN Flag-Officer-in-Command Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr., and Commo. Edward Ike M. De Sagon, commander of PN's Offshore Combat Force.