HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HDHHI) has launched the first of six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) destined for the Philippine Navy.
The ceremony marking the milestone took place on Wednesday at the firm’s Ulsan shipyard, according to a recent social media post.
The future BRP Rajah Sulayman is scheduled to be delivered to the Philippine Navy in March next year after completion of her sea trials and outfitting.
Five more ships in the class are planned: Rajah Lakandula, Rajah Humabon, Rajah Kudarat, Datu Marikudo, and Datu Sikatuna. All are set to be delivered and commissioned into service by the end of 2028.
BRP Rajah Sulayman, named after a 16th‑century Filipino hero, is the lead ship in her class. A variant of HDHHI’s HDP-2200+ OPV design, she displaces 2,400 tonnes, has a maximum speed of roughly 22 knots, and is just over 94m long.
She cost an estimated $110m to build and will be equipped with a combat management system supplied by Hanwha, Leonardo surveillance and fire control radars, Safran longe–range sensors, and navigation systems supplied by Hensoldt and Anschütz.
She is expected to be armed with an Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid naval gun, as well as two 30mm naval guns and two manually operated 2.7mm heavy machine guns.She will also have the capability to carry short-range surface-to-air missiles.
Her flight deck can accommodate a medium sized (circa 10-tonne) helicopter and/or uncrewed aerial systems as required.
Joo Won Ho, head of HDHHI’s Special Ship Business Unit, said he looked forward to further deepening cooperation with Philippine partners in maritime military projects and commented: “On the foundation of solid mutual trust, we will actively support the Philippine military’s modernization and Korea’s maritime defence strategy.”
HDHHI also launched the future BRP Diego Silang, the second ship of a class of guided missile frigates being built for the Philippine Navy, back in March. The first ship in that class, BRP Miguel Malvar, was commissioned into service last month.