PH’s first missile-guided corvette launched in South Korea

The BRP Miguel Malvar. PHOTO FROM THE DND.

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s first-ever missile-guided corvette has been finally transferred from land to water in a ceremony in South Korea graced by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., according to the Department of National Defense (DND).

DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong on Friday said BRP Miguel Malvar was launched in a ceremony on Tuesday (June 18) held in Ulsan City.

Named after a Philippine revolutionary general and hero, the first of two corvettes was manufactured by Hyundai Heavy Industries of South Korea.

The brand-new 3,100-ton corvettes with antiship, antisubmarine, and antiaircraft capabilities are part of a P28 billion deal the country signed with Hyundai in 2021.

READ: Korean shipbuilder constructing 2 corvettes for Philippine Navy

BRP Miguel Malvar will be delivered to the Philippines in the second quarter of 2025.

Andolong said Teodoro “highlighted the proven quality and reliability” of South Korean products during his speech in the program, and that the future acquisitions would adhere to the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept aimed to develop the country’s capability to protect and secure its entire territory and exclusive economic zone.

“Key considerations for these acquisitions include supply chain reliability, redundancy, corporate good governance, and the overall value for money,” Andolong said in a statement.

Hyundai also built the Navy’s most modern ships in its fleet, namely frigates BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna.