MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy yesterday launched its second brand-new frigate at the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipbuilding complex in Ulsan, South Korea.
Navy public affairs office chief Lt. Cmdr. Christina Roxas said top security officials led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Noel Clement and Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad were there to witness the launching of BRP Antonio Luna.
“Named after one of our national heroes, BRP Antonio Luna’s launching at sea completes the two-unit frigate acquisition project of the Philippine Navy,” Roxas said.
Its sister ship, BRP Jose Rizal, was launched at sea in May last year. It is currently undergoing sea trials with the tests to be completed early next year.
Roxas said delivery of BRP Jose Rizal is expected at the earliest in April or May 2020 and BRP Antonio Luna in September or October next year.
Also present at the launching ceremony were former Navy chief Ferdinand Golez and commander of Naval Sea Systems Command Rear Adm. Rommel Jason Galang.
Minister of Defense Acquisition Wang Jung-Hong from South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration also joined Lorenzana and his party at the event.
Officials said both frigates are capable of engaging in anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and electronic warfare, as the warships are fully equipped with surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, as well as torpedoes.
Their primary guns are 76mm super rapid guns, while the secondary weapons are 30mm guns. It also has chaffs and decoys as defense against incoming missiles.
“The acquisition of these missile frigates will strengthen the Navy’s capability to safeguard our maritime nation and territorial limits. These two missile-capable frigates are tangible manifestations and benchmarks of the Navy’s vision of becoming a strong and credible force by 2020,” Roxas said.
Each frigate is 107 meters long, with a speed of 25 knots and is capable of “sustained operational presence” or endurance at sea for a month.