Philippines Expands Maritime Security with Second Miguel Malvar Class Frigate.

On September 16, 2025, in a Facebook post, the Philippine Navy announced the arrival at Subic Naval Base in Zambales of its second Miguel Malvar-class frigate, to be commissioned as BRP Diego Silang FFG-07. The event was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, General Romeo Brawner Jr., along with senior Navy officials. The ceremony marked the formal reception of the new ship, built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and delivered to Philippine waters in early September 2025.
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BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) at Subic Naval Base during its arrival ceremony on September 16, 2025, marking the Philippine Navy’s reception of its second Miguel Malvar-class frigate. (Picture source: Philippine Navy)

The ship is named after Diego Silang y Andaya, a Filipino revolutionary leader, and is the second unit in a procurement program aimed at strengthening the fleet with vessels of greater range and advanced capabilities. It was ordered on December 28, 2021, and built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries under yard number P171. The reported cost is around PHP 12.5 billion, approximately USD 250 million. Construction milestones included keel laying on June 14, 2024, launch on March 27, 2025, and final delivery in September 2025.

In terms of size and propulsion, BRP Diego Silang measures 118.4 meters in length and 14.9 meters in beam, with a displacement of 3,200 tons. It is designed for a range of 4,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 15 knots, and a maximum speed of about 25 knots. Propulsion is provided by a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) arrangement, consisting of four MTU 20V 1163 M94 engines rated at 7,400 kW each, for a total output of 29,600 kW, supported by four MTU-STX diesel generators. Operational endurance is estimated at about 20 days.

The ship’s electronics and weapons systems make it a versatile platform. Its sensor suite includes an EL/M-2258 ALPHA S-band AESA multifunction radar, Hensoldt SharpEye radars for navigation, a Leonardo NA-25X fire control radar, and a Safran PASEO XLR electro-optical system. It also carries a Harris Model 997 hull-mounted sonar and an Elbit Elisra Aquamarine electronic warfare suite for radar and communications surveillance. For active defense, the frigate is equipped with a C-Guard DL-12T countermeasures system and decoy launchers.

Its weapons package includes a 16-cell vertical launching system configured for MBDA VL MICA surface-to-air missiles, eight C-Star SSM-710K anti-ship cruise missiles in quad launchers, and SEA triple-tube torpedo launchers for K745 Blue Shark torpedoes. Gun systems comprise a 76 mm Oto Melara Super Rapid, an Aselsan GOKDENIZ 100/35 close-in weapon system, and multiple K6 12.7 mm heavy machine guns. The ship can accommodate a 10 to 12-ton naval helicopter and has a starboard hangar and flight deck to support air operations.

The delivery is part of a broader modernization plan for the Philippine Navy. In total, the government has ordered ten vessels from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, consisting of two frigates contracted in 2016, two patrol ships in 2021, and six offshore patrol vessels in 2022. The arrival of BRP Diego Silang continues a procurement program that began with the delivery of earlier units in 2021 and the commissioning of the country’s first guided missile frigate, BRP Jose Rizal. Operationally, the new addition is intended to expand the navy’s long-range presence and surveillance capacity under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.