The Philippines' DND Plans to Purchase New Frigates from the Republic of Korea

28 Desember 2025

BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) a Miguel Malvar HDC-3200 class frigate (photo: PN)

TSAMTO, --- The Philippine Department of National Defense is preparing to sign a contract with a South Korean company to supply the country's navy with two new frigates, the cost of which is estimated at 34 billion pesos (585 million dollars).

According to Naval News, citing anonymous sources, the contract award notification was sent to shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) on December 22. This follows the allocation of additional funds by the Philippines' Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the modernization of the Armed Forces. The new ships are expected to be delivered in 2029.

The contract adds to HD HHI's growing portfolio of projects for the Philippine Navy. Over the past five years, the South Korean shipbuilder has delivered four frigates to the Philippine Navy. The company is also building six Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), the first of which, the PS-20 Rajah Sulaiman, is scheduled for delivery in January 2026. Upon completion, HD HHI will deliver a total of 12 warships to the Philippine Navy.

BRP Antonio Luna FF-151 a Jose Rizal HDF-2600 class frigate (photo: PN)

In 2025, the Philippine Navy commissioned two modern HDC-3200-class frigates, built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries under a contract signed in December 2021. The procurement is valued at PHP 28 billion (US$551 million). The lead ship of the class, (FFG-06) Miguel Malvar, was commissioned on May 20, 2025. The commissioning of (FFG-07) Diego Silang took place on December 2, 2025.

According to sources, the additional frigates, which could cost approximately 42 billion pesos including weapons systems, will be built based on the Miguel Malvar-class (HDC-3200) design. A Ministry of National Defense report published in July described the planned frigate acquisition as "based on existing assets," suggesting a repeat order.

BRP Rajah Sulayman PS-20 a Miguel Malvar HDP-1500 Neo class Offshore Patrol Vessel (photo: PN)

The HDC-3200 project is an improved version of the HDF-2600 frigate, which has already been sold to the Philippine Navy and is in service under the name Jose Rizal.

The Miguel Malvar-class frigate is 118.4 meters long, 14.9 meters wide, and displaces 3,200 tons. It can reach a maximum speed of 25 knots, and has a cruising range of 4,500 nautical miles at 15 knots. Its armament includes a 76mm gun mount, an Aselsan 35mm Gokdeniz CIWS, a 16-container launcher for the VL-MICA air defense system, two four-container launchers with C-Star anti-ship missiles, and two triple-tube torpedo launchers with Blue Shark torpedoes.

(TSAMTO)