Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has launched the BRP Miguel Malvar in South Korea, the first of two guided missile corvettes of the Philippine Navy under a P28-billion contract.
The new corvette, with Hull Number FF-06, will be the second vessel to be named after the 19th-century revolutionary general who fought during the Philippine revolution against Spain until the Philippine-American war.
The first vessel to be named Miguel Malvar had the hull number PS-19. It was a World War II-vintage patrol craft that the Philippine Navy acquired in 1976 after 10 years of service with the Republic of Vietnam Navy and 20 years of service with the US Navy. PS-19 was decommissioned in 2021.
READ: PH’s first missile-guided corvette launched in South Korea
The new missile corvette is part of the deal that was awarded to South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in 2021 through the Philippine Navy’s Corvette Acquisition Program. The Philippine Navy said BRP Miguel Malvar is expected to be delivered in 2025 while the second one will be in 2026.
According to Hyundai, the Malvar’s design was derived from HHI’s HDC-3100 convert, but modified to fit the Philippine Navy’s requirements, the corvette has an overall length of 118.4 meters, width of 14.9 meters, cruising speed of 15 knots, range of 4,500 nautical miles, and top speed of about 25 knots.
No weaponry details
HHI gave no further details on the corvette’s combat systems, except to say the warships will be fitted with “advanced weapon systems such as anti-ship missiles, vertical launch systems, and state-of-the-art radar.
Hyundai said the original HDC-3100 concept can be equipped with 16 vertical launch system cells in the forward section, a 76 mm naval gun in the primary position, a close-in weapon system turret in the aft section, and up to eight anti-ship missile launchers amidships.
Miguel Malvar will undergo sea trials and outfitting before being delivered to the Philippine Navy in 2025, said HHI in its statement.
READ: Korean shipbuilder constructing 2 corvettes for Philippine Navy
HHI also built two multi-role frigates for the Philippine Navy in a P16-billion contract in 2016.
During the launching in the southeastern city of Ulsan on June 18, Teodoro was joined by his wife, Special Envoy to the United Nations Children’s Fund Monica Louise Prieto-Teodoro, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner, Philippine Navy Chief Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. and other security officials.
Arsenio Andolong, spokesperson for the Department of National Defense (DND), said Teodoro, in his speech during the launch, pointed out the DND would remain committed to creating partnerships with companies from countries that align strategically with the Philippines, such as South Korea.
South Korean quality
“He highlighted the proven quality and reliability of South Korean products and noted that future acquisitions would adhere to the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept,” Andolong said.
He added key considerations for these acquisitions include supply chain reliability, redundancy, corporate good governance, and the overall value for money.
The defense chief also extended his gratitude to South Korea for its “steadfast support” for the Philippines’ position in the South China Sea dispute, particularly in opposing Beijing’s unilateral aggression and illegal actions.