Second sea trials for BRP Jose Rizal FF-150 multi-role frigate of Philippine Navy.

Second sea trials for the Philippine Navy BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) multi-role semi-stealth frigate which took place from the 15 to 18 December 2019. During these trials, ship propulsion console, freshwater generator, and steering gear were tested. Also, the frigate's propulsion system was tested and checked for vibration.

BRP Jose Rizal FF-150 multi-role frigate of the Philippine Navy during sea trials. (Picture source Philippine Navy)

The S and X band radars of the BRP Jose Rizal, designed to perform surveillance and targeting, were also tested along with the frigate's fuel consumption at 85 percent of "maximum continuous rating" or maximum speed.

"The second sea trials (were conducted) with satisfactory results," said Philippine Navy (PN) public affairs office chief, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Tuesday, December 31, 2019.

The sea trials are the last phase of construction before the frigate’s delivery to the Philippine Navy scheduled for April or May 2020. This took place six months after the vessel was launched at the HHI shipyard for the first time in Ulsan in May 23, 2019.

The BRP Jose Rizal was designed and built by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and was based on the HDF-2600 frigate design, which in turn was derived from the Incheon-class frigate of the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN).

The BRP Jose Rizal is able to conduct Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Electronic Warfare (EW) Operations and it is fully equipped with Surface-to-Air and Surface-to-Surface Missiles, torpedoes, launchers, and weapon systems.

The armament of the BRP Jose Rizal includes one 1 x Oto Melara 76 mm Super Rapid Gun, one ASELSAN SMASH 30mm Secondary Gun, four S&T Motiv 12.7mm K6 Heavy Machine Guns, and 1 Close-in weapon system.

The BRP Jose Rizal is also equipped with anti-air missiles that include two Twin MBDA Simbad RC with Mistral missiles and one single 8-cell Vertical Launching System (FFBNW). Other armament consists of two Twin LIGNex1 SSM-700K C-Star Anti Ship Missile and SEA Triple Trainable Torpedo Launchers.

There is also a flight deck and enclosed hanger that can host a Leonardo AW-159 Wildcat naval helicopter.