South Korean training ship arrives in PH for cadet mission
(Photo: Philippine Navy)
A South Korean helicopter training ship has visited the country as part of the Republic of Korea Navy's (ROKN) overseas training deployment for its naval cadets, the Philippine Navy (PN) said.
Rear Adm. Joe Anthony Orbe, commander of the Philippine Fleet, welcomed ROKN's Cruise Training Task Group (CTTG) delegation aboard the ROKS Hansando (ATH-81) during their courtesy call at the PN headquarters in Manila on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
ROKS Hansando (ATH-81) is in Manila from Dec. 8 to 11 and Orbe said its visit highlighted the “expanding” naval partnership between Manila and Seoul. The CTTG delegation was led by its commander, Admiral Sang Yong Hong.
Both the PN and ROK Navy reaffirmed their commitment to maritime cooperation amid a heightened strategic competition in regional waters.
They noted that such engagements help expand operational familiarity, boost confidence-building measures, and support joint efforts in maintaining a stable Indo-Pacific region.
The goodwill visit came as the two countries have steadily strengthened naval ties over the past years.
South Korea has been a key defense partner in the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as it supplies the latter with multi-role frigates, corvettes, and naval technology.
ROKN and South Korean shipbuilders, such as the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), have provided key assets to the PN including Manila’s first two missile-capable frigates, the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151).
In addition, South Korea has also delivered refurbished corvettes to PN such as BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39), and is building additional corvettes and offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) under ongoing contracts.
Earlier this month, the PN also commissioned into service BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) after its launch in South Korea in March.