Navy of Philippines will order two new Pohang-class corvettes from South Korea.

According a news published one the "Rappler" website, Philippines will order two brand new Pohang-class corvette warships from South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), while the South Korean government plans to donate two Pohang-class corvettes of its navy’s existing ones, said Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines, Delfin Lorenzana.

The Pohang-class corvette BRP Conrado Yap of Philippines Navy. (Picture source Philippines Navy)

On August 20, 2019, the Philippine Navy welcomed its most powerful warship yet, the Pohang-class corvette BRP Conrado Yap, with an official ceremony at the Manila South Harbor.

The Pohang-class corvette is a class of general-purpose corvettes operated by the Republic of Korea Navy. A total of 24 ships were built by Korea Shipbuilding Corporation, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Korea Takoma. Pohang Class is preceded by Donghae class corvette.

The primary mission of the Pohang-class corvette is coastal line patrolling. Pohang class is deployed as the main force to monitor defense in the South Korean coast. These ships were equipped to perform anti-submarine, anti-ship and anti-aircraft warfare operations in the littoral environment.

The Pohang- class corvette has a length of 88.3m, a beam of 10m and a draft of 3m. Displacement of the ship is 1,200t. The vessel has a maximum speed of 32kt and can complement over 90 crew members.

The ship's armament consists of two Oto Melara 76mm/62 caliber Compact naval guns, two Otobreda 40mm L/70 twin naval guns, two Mk. 32 triple torpedo launchers, six M2HB Browning .50 caliber machine guns, and two Mk.9 depth charge racks. The vessel is also equipped with mounts for the installation of VSHORAD missiles like the Simbad