The BRP Diego Silang ((FFG-07). (Picture source: HD HHI)

South Korea to Deliver New Advanced Frigate to Philippine Navy

Jeoffrey Maitem - : Sep 3, 2025 - : 5:53 pm

The Philippine Navy will have a capable brand new fleet this month, South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa announced on Tuesday. The BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07), the second Miguel Malvar-class frigate, will be delivered next week by HD Hyundai...

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The Philippine Navy will have a capable brand new fleet this month, South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa announced on Tuesday.

The BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07), the second Miguel Malvar-class frigate, will be delivered next week by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, the ambassador announced during the inauguration of the company’s Subic Agila Shipyard in Subic, Zambales.

Named after a Filipino revolutionary hero, 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.

BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) and its sister ship, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), which was delivered earlier this year, are part of a ₱28-billion ($483.28 million) contract signed by the Department of National Defense with shipbuilder HD Hyundai in 2021.

Both have advanced weapon systems such as anti-ship missiles, vertical launch systems, and 3D AESA radar, the vessel has a cruising speed of 15 knots (about 28 km/h), a top speed of about and a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,330 km).

"These warships significantly enhance the country’s naval capabilities amid growing security challenges in the West Philippine Sea. The addition of these two 3,200-ton corvettes reinforces the Philippines’ commitment to regional stability and defense cooperation with South Korea," the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a statement issued earlier.

The Philippine Navy’s modernization plan, unveiled in 2012, envisioned a robust fleet that included six anti-air warfare frigates and three attack submarines.

However, as of last year, the Navy only operates two modern frigates—the BRP José Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna—along with a limited number of other vessels, leaving it exposed in a region marked by escalating tensions.

In January last year, President Marcos Jnr approved “Re-Horizon 3”, a rewrite of the original programme that will receive a budget of US$35 billion – with priority going to the navy and the air force.

Under Re-Horizon 3, the PN aims to acquire new frigates, corvettes, and diesel submarines. The frigates, the top priority, may be an upgraded HDF-3500, a design developed by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) of South Korea.