Philippines’ Newest Guided-Missile Frigate Showcases Capabilities in Drills with US, Australia

Jeoffrey Maitem - : Feb 17, 2026 - : 5:45 pm

The Philippines’ newest guided-missile frigate tested its capabilities as it joined defense allies in joint maritime drills in the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea. On Monday, February 16, the Philippine Navy’s BRP Diego Silang, the second ship in...

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The Philippines’ newest guided-missile frigate tested its capabilities as it joined defense allies in joint maritime drills in the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea.

On Monday, February 16, the Philippine Navy’s BRP Diego Silang, the second ship in the Miguel Malvar-class of guided-missile frigates that was bought from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2021 for $554 million (P28 billion), sailed along with Australia’s HMAS Towoomba (FFH 156) and USS Milius (DDG69) in the waters between 38NM west off Bolinao, Pangasinan up to 117NM west off Nasugbu, Batangas.

Named after an 18th-century Filipino revolutionary leader, the ships can reach speeds of up to 25 knots and sail 4,500 nautical miles. They are designed for multi-domain operations, including anti-surface, anti-air, anti-submarine, and electronic warfare missions.

An AW109 helicopter takes off from the Philippine Navy’s BRP Diego Silang during a flight deck operation on Monday, Feb. 16. (Jeoffrey Maitem)

During the drills, participating navies rehearsed communication exercises, maritime domain awareness, joint patrol, division tactics, photo exercise, replenishment at sea, and hotwash.

“In times of war, we maneuver to address specific threats. This demonstrates how proficient our sailors are in conducting highly intricate maneuvers,” Captain John Percie Alcos, commanding officer of BRP Diego Silang, told reporters.

The 3,200-ton surface combatant measures 118.4 meters in length and 14.9 meters in width, and is equipped with both anti-submarine and anti-aircraft capabilities.

The ship is armed with a 16-cell vertical launching system for VL MICA missiles, eight C-STAR anti-ship missile launchers, a Gökdeniz 35mm close-in weapon system, a 76mm main gun, two triple torpedo launchers, and an advanced AESA radar.

Its’ sister ship, the BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), was commissioned in May 2025.

Meanwhile, two Chinese warships were spotted shadowing the participating vessels until the exercises concluded.

“We were able to monitor interlopers beyond visual range. And it is very important for us to decide what we need to do. Once they came nearer, they maintained a distance that was safe for us to conduct different evolutions and safely conduct our maneuvers,” Alcos said.