The Philippine Navy (PN) welcomed the future BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), the second missile-capable frigate of the Philippine Navy, as it traverses Philippine waters in the vicinity of Capones Island, Zambale, February 9. BRP Antonio Luna sister ship, the BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) rendered the customary meeting procedure and passing exercise (PASSEX) followed by both ships first maneuvering exercises (MANNEX), a momentous feat in the PN and AFPs history captured by an AW109 naval helicopter in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX). This procedure was complemented by a fly-by of three FA-50 jets from the Philippine Air Force.
Frigate Antonio Luna will sail in formation with frigate Jose Rizal through Manila Bay before proceeding to its anchorage area in Subic, Zambales where the crew and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) personnel will observe mandatory quarantine period. A simple arrival ceremony will be conducted later this month upon completion of the quarantine period and satisfactory result of their COVID-19 swab test. This time-honored maritime tradition was conducted to commemorate FF151s arrival to our territorial waters and to extend and maximize the training and systems familiarization opportunities of every crew aboardship in preparation for independent ship operation.
Frigate Antonio Luna will complete the PN Frigate Acquisition Project that fulfills the PNs thrust of having modern platforms and systems that provide opportunities for its personnel to develop modern mindsets and propel the whole organization into becoming a multi-capable naval force responsive to our maritime nations defense and development. The second fast-frigate of the PN which will be christened as BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) once commissioned to service, entered Philippine waters last February 7 in the vicinity of Mavulis Island, Itbayat, Batanes, after its successful maiden voyage from Ulsan, South Korea.
The future BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) is the second ship of the Jose Rizal-class of guided missile frigates in service with the Philippine Navy. She is able to conduct multi-role operations such anti-surface warfare (ASUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and limited anti-air warfare (AAW).The BRP Antonio Luna was designed and built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) of South Korea and is a derivative of the Incheon-class frigates of the Republic of Korea Navy. Changes were made on the base design on newer frigates of the R.O.K. Navy. She also features a low free-board design similar also to the HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej of the Royal Thai Navy.
