Then Navy spokesperson Captain Jonathan Zata said these frigates will help secure the country's maritime chokepoints or primary sea routes used for trade, logistics, and naval operations for all forms of threats. The Philippines and South Korean shipbuilder HHI signed a PHP16-billion contract for two missile-armed frigates with another PHP2 billion set aside for its weapon systems and munition in October 2016. Meanwhile, BRP Jose Rizal's sister ship, BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), was launched in the HHI shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea last November 8 and is expected to be delivered by September or October 2020.
![warship craft oto melara warship craft oto melara](https://l450v.alamy.com/450v/m6wac7/an-oto-melara-12764-lightweight-lw-naval-gun-carried-on-its-luigi-m6wac7.jpg)
Commander Maria Christina Roxas said the sea trials are the last phase of construction prior to the frigate’s delivery to the Philippines. Sea trials for the BRP Jose Rizal took place last November 23 to 27 in the open waters off Ulsan, Busan, and Mokpo in South Korea to measure its performance and general seaworthiness. The BRP Jose Rizal is also fitted with a Hanwha Systems' Naval Shield combat management system (CMS) which integrates all shipboard sensors and weapons and decides on which is ideal to deal with any incoming threats. "It is a strategic move as this ship will be the most (capable) in the PN due to its multiple capabilities," he said. The ship, armed with an Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid main gun, an Aselsan SMASH 30mm remote-controlled secondary cannon, anti-submarine torpedoes and anti-air and ship missiles is expected to be delivered to the Philippines by April or May 2020.ĭuring the launching ceremony for the ship, PN flag-officer-in-command, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, called the country's acquisition of the ship a "strategic move". The launch for the lead ship, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), took place May 23 in Ulsan, South Korea. Likely the most important milestone for the PN this year is the launching of the lead ship of its two missile-frigate order by South Korean shipbuilder HHI. Launching of first two multi-mission 'Jose Rizal'-class frigates
![warship craft oto melara warship craft oto melara](https://www.seaforces.org/wpnsys/SURFACE/Oto-Melara-76mm-SR-gun/Oto-Melara-76SR-gun-028.jpg)
With the arrival and pending deliveries of these assets, the PN has started on its regeneration path to make it more capable of defending Philippine waters. Some of the milestones reached by the Navy during this period are the launch of two guided-missile frigates of the "Jose Rizal" class by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries delivery and commissioning of the two AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) AW-159 helicopters completion of the delivery of the eight Hanwha Techwin amphibious assault vehicles and commissioning of three more Propmech constructed multi-purpose attack craft and delivery of the LIG Nex1 "Blue Shark" torpedoes that will arm and give teeth to the two "Wildcat" anti-submarine helicopters now in PN service.Īlso included on this list is the delivery of the South Korean-donated "Pohang"-class corvette, which the PN renamed the BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39), which will provide the country with its initial anti-submarine capability pending the delivery of the multipurpose "Jose Rizal" class frigates by next year.Īnother milestone for the PN is the upgrading of the electronics and sensors suites of three former Hamilton-class cutters and now renamed the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar-class offshore patrol vessels. MANILA - For a naval force that is struggling hard to remedy decades of neglect that seriously eroded its capabilities to protect the country's vast waters, 2019 has certainly proven to be a banner year for the Philippine Navy (PN) as it acquired several platforms and reached equipment milestones to carry out missions in safeguarding the nation's seas with some measure of credibility.