South Korea Delivers High-Tech Miguel Malvar-class Frigate to Boost Philippine Naval Power.

The Philippine Navy is set to enhance its maritime defense capabilities with the imminent arrival of the BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), the lead ship of the new Miguel Malvar-class guided missile frigates. According to a photo shared by defense analyst Max Montero on his X account on March 31, 2025, the frigate departed from Hyundai Heavy Industries' (HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, embarking on its delivery voyage to the Philippines. The vessel's arrival ceremony is scheduled for April 8, 2025.
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BRP Miguel Malvar for the Philippine Navy on the way to the Philippines after departing from South Korea Hyundai Heavy Industries shipbuilding. (Picture source: Max Montero X account)

The acquisition of the Miguel Malvar-class frigates by the Philippine Navy is a significant milestone in the longstanding defense cooperation between the Philippines and South Korea. In December 2021, the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) signed a $556 million contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries for the construction of two advanced corvettes. This agreement marked a key phase under Horizon 2 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program, aimed at upgrading naval capabilities to address regional security challenges and maritime threats.

This defense partnership has been further strengthened over the years. In October 2024, the Philippines and South Korea officially elevated their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, reinforcing commitments to enhanced defense cooperation, regional stability, and adherence to a rules-based international maritime order.

South Korea’s contribution to the modernization of the Philippine Navy has been substantial. Prior to the Miguel Malvar-class, HHI delivered two Jose Rizal-class frigates—BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151)—commissioned in 2020 and 2021 respectively. These ships marked a significant leap forward in the Navy’s operational capabilities, equipped with modern sensors, weapon systems, and aviation facilities.

In addition to new builds, South Korea donated the Pohang-class corvette ROKS Chungju (PCC-762), which was commissioned into the Philippine Navy as BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39). This vessel remains one of the most capable in the fleet, particularly in anti-submarine warfare roles.

Further strengthening naval cooperation, in June 2022, the Philippines awarded another major contract to HHI for the construction of six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) worth approximately $573.8 million. These ships, expected to be delivered by 2028, will improve the Navy's capacity to patrol and secure the country’s vast maritime territory.

The BRP Miguel Malvar is based on HHI's HDC-3100 design, an evolution of the HDF-2600 platform used for the Jose Rizal-class. The ship measures 118.4 meters in length with a beam of 14.9 meters and displaces approximately 3,200 tons. It is powered by four MTU STX diesel engines, achieving a top speed of 25 knots and a cruising range of 4,500 nautical miles at 15 knots. The vessel is equipped with a helicopter flight deck and hangar, enhancing its operational reach.

Its combat systems and weaponry are tailored for multi-domain operations. Armament includes a 16-cell vertical launch system (VLS) for surface-to-air missiles, two quadruple launchers for LIG Nex1 SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missiles, a 76mm Oto Melara naval gun, a 35mm ASELSAN GOKDENIZ close-in weapon system (CIWS), and four 12.7mm heavy machine guns. For anti-submarine warfare, the ship carries two triple torpedo launchers for K745 Blue Shark torpedoes.

Sensor and electronic systems onboard include the IAI EL/M-2258 ALPHA S-band AESA multifunction radar, Kelvin Hughes SharpEye navigation radars, Harris Model 997 hull-mounted sonar, and the Safran PASEO XLR electro-optical fire control system. These are integrated into a modern combat management system, enabling real-time tactical decision-making.

The delivery of the BRP Miguel Malvar represents a crucial enhancement to the Philippine Navy’s surface combatant fleet and underscores the deepening defense relationship between the Philippines and South Korea. With the second ship of the class, BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07), already launched and expected to follow later this year, the Navy is steadily progressing toward its goal of becoming a modern, multi-role maritime force capable of protecting the country’s sovereign rights and securing its maritime domains.