The world’s largest shipbuilding company Hyundai Heavy Industries ( HHI ) has committed to deliver the warship by April, said Navy chief Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo on March 10. The BRP Jose Rizal was launched in May last year by the South Korean manufacturer and immediately went into harbor trials until the first quarter of this year in preparation for its official turnover to the Philippine Navy. Its sister ship, or the second frigate, the BRP Antonio Luna, was launched into the sea in November last year during a ceremony held at the HHI’s shipyard in Bangeojinsunhwan-doro, Ulsan, South Korea. The warship is also expected to be delivered in September or October this year.
Both guided missile frigates are capable of engaging in four dimensions of modern warfare—Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Electronic Warfare. The frigates has a maximum designed speed of 25 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots and a range of 4,500 nautical miles. The two warships’ primary gun is a 76-mm super rapid gun, while the secondary gun is a 30-mm gun. It also has chaffs and decoys as defense against incoming missiles. The BRP Jose Rizal are ready except for the required certification for its combat management systems (CMS), South Korean company Hanwha Systems has been contracted by HHI to input the CMS for the two frigates.
