Philippines will launch its second frigate BRP Antonio Luna FF-151 in November 2019.

Philippines will launch its second frigate, the BRP Antonio Luna Jose Rizal-class (FF-151) in November 2019. The launching ceremonies will take place at the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea.

The BRP Jose Rizal during the launching ceremony at HHI Shipyard Ulsan, South Korea. (Picture source Philippines Navy)

"Our second frigate will be launched on either the first or second week of November 2019. By that time, the first frigate (BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) will be finished (fitting its equipment)," said Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad during an interview with reporters at the PN headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila on August 28, 2019.

The BRP Jose Rizal, the country's first missile frigate, was launched at the same facility last May 23. The first missile frigate is expected to be delivered to the Philippine Navy's by April 2020 while the BRP Antonio Luna is scheduled for September of the same year.

The Philippines and Hyundai Heavy Industries signed a PHP16-billion contract for two missile-armed frigates with another PHP2 billion set aside for its weapon systems and munitions.

BRP General Antonio Luna is the second ship of the General Emilio Aguinaldo class patrol vessel of the Philippine Navy. This frigate is built based on the design of Incheon/FFX-I/HDF-3000-type multi-purpose frigates operated by the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN).

The BRP Antonio Luna will be armed with an Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid main gun, an Aselsan SMASH 30mm remote-controlled secondary cannon, S&T Motiv 12.7mm K6 heavy machine guns, anti-submarine torpedoes, and Mistral anti-air missiles (on Twin MBDA Simbad RC turret) and LIGNex1 SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missiles.