ALERT: Philippine Navy guided missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar enters trial phase for operational deployment.

According to information published by the Philippine News Agency on July 10, 2025, the Philippine Navy has begun the Operational Readiness and Capability Tests (ORACT) of its latest guided missile frigate, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), as a mandatory step before it enters full operational service. These trials are designed to rigorously assess the warfighting competence of the ship and its crew across the full spectrum of naval warfare, in accordance with the Philippine Navy’s doctrinal and operational standards.
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The Philippine Navy’s new guided missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar, delivered in 2025, is preparing for operational deployment as it undergoes a comprehensive evaluation of its combat systems and crew readiness. (Picture source: Philippine Navy)

The Philippine Navy ORACT (Operational Readiness and Capability Tests) comprises four methodical phases, beginning with a comprehensive inspection of all onboard combat and support systems, assessment of crew qualifications, and validation of operational tactics and procedures. The second phase identifies any system or procedural deficiencies through repeated drills and combat simulations. In the third stage, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and PN support commands address technical and procedural shortcomings. The final phase incorporates all corrective actions into a systemic framework to ensure that operational readiness is sustainable and meets the highest level of mission assurance. The process includes testing in Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), and Electronic Warfare (EW), simulating full mission profiles in realistic threat environments.

BRP Miguel Malvar was constructed by South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries under a PHP28 billion contract, approximately USD 495 million, signed on December 28, 2021. The contract covers the construction of two advanced multi-role frigates, with BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) expected to be delivered between late July and September 2025. The deal was brokered by the Department of National Defense of the Philippines as part of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP) Horizon 2 phase.

Technically, BRP Miguel Malvar represents a significant evolution from the earlier Jose Rizal-class frigates. The 118-meter vessel is designed with improved hull stealth, a more integrated combat management system, and enhanced survivability against multi-domain threats. The ship is fitted with a 76mm Oto Melara Super Rapid main gun, C-Star surface-to-surface missiles, Blue Shark lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes, and provisions for close-in weapon systems (CIWS) and vertical launch systems (VLS). It also carries a hangar and flight deck to support shipborne helicopters, allowing full interoperability with ASW and maritime surveillance air assets. The frigate is powered by Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) propulsion for extended operational range and reduced acoustic signature, essential for ASW missions.

The deployment of the BRP Miguel Malvar underscores the strategic imperative of the Philippines to bolster its maritime defense posture amid growing regional tensions in the South China Sea and evolving maritime security challenges. With an expansive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and increasing need to assert sovereignty over contested waters, the Philippine Navy is rapidly transitioning from a coastal defense force to a more modern blue-water capable fleet. The integration of advanced surface combatants like the BRP Miguel Malvar and its future sister ship will enhance the Navy’s capacity for sustained maritime patrols, high-seas deterrence, and multilateral interoperability with allied navies.

With the ORACT process underway, BRP Miguel Malvar is on track to join the operational fleet alongside the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), providing the Philippine Navy with a credible surface combatant force capable of responding to current and future maritime threats.