Philippine Navy to get first S.Korean Jose-Rizal Frigate next week

The Philippine Navy will take the delivery of first of the two ordered Jose Rizal-class frigates built by South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).

Vice Admiral Giovanni Bacordo announced on May 15 that the boat will set sail from Ulsan shipyard in South Korea on May 18 and will arrive in Subic Bay in the Philippines by May 23.

After its arrival in Subic Bay, the ship’s crew will undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine period prior to technical inspection and acceptance ceremony.

The deal for the two missile-capable warships, estimated to be valued at $311 million, was inked between the two parties in 2016.

Acording to Navy Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Commander Ma. Christina Roxas, both frigates are capable of engaging in the four dimensions of modern warfare: Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Electronic Warfare.

She said the frigate has successfully undergone sea trials and sea acceptance test prior to its sail to the Philippines.

The frigates are equipped with surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missile and torpedoes. The vessels’ primary gun is 76mm super rapid gun while the secondary gun is a 30mm gun. It also has chaffs and decoys as defense against incoming missile.

Each frigate is 107 meters long, with a maximum speed of 25 knots, cruising speed of 15 knots, range of 4,500 nautical miles and endurance at sea for a month.

HHI launched the second frigate in November last year. It is expected to be delivered in October of this year.