Torpedoes, Chaffs, Acoustic Decoys for Jose Rizal-Class Frigates being Procured

07 Januari 2021

LIGNex1 SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missiles and LIGNex1 K745 Blue Shark torpedoes will equipped Jose Rizal-class frigates (photo : MaxDefense)

The Department of National Defense (DND) is now in the process of acquiring torpedoes, chaffs, and acoustic decoys for the Jose Rizal-class frigates constructed by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in South Korea.

Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP) Lot 3C, which is for the acquisition of acoustic decoys, will be having its submission and opening of bid envelope (SOBE) on February 16. FAP Lot 3B, which is for the acquisition of chaffs, is scheduled to have its SOBE this month.

FAP Lot 3A is for the acquisition of torpedoes. “Lot 3A for Torpedoes will be acquired through Negotiated Procurement, which MaxDefense believes is with the South Korean Ministry of National Defense (ROK MND). This means that the procurement would be for the K745 Blue Shark torpedoes from LIGNex1, which is the only Korean-made lightweight torpedo model,” MaxDefense Philippines said.

FAP Lot 2, which was also divided into sublots, is providing missiles and gun munitions. In December 2020, Philippine Navy public affairs office chief Lieutenant Commander Maria Christina Roxas said “[Deliveries for] the surface-to-air missile is October 2021 and March 2022 for the surface-to-surface missile.”

FAP Lot 1 provided the platforms. BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) was delivered in July 2020, the future BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) is expected to be delivered early this year 2021.

(Mintfo)