BRP Diego Silang, the Philippine Navy’s second Miguel Malvar-class frigate, has been welcomed into service.
The newly named and commissioned warship is a multi-role frigate built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and designed for anti-surface, anti-air, anti-submarine, and electronic warfare missions.
The Miguel Malvar-class warships are 118m long, displace 3,200 tons, have a range of 4,500 nautical miles and can achieve a top speed of about 25 knots. The first-in-class, BRP Miguel Malvar, was commissioned into service in May this year.
They are armed with a 16-cell VLS system which carry a mix of MBDA anti-air missiles and C-Star anti-ship projectiles, and a SEA launch system carrying K745 Blue Shark torpedoes. They also each carry an embarked AW159 Wildcat helicopter.
Tuesday’s commissioning ceremony for BRP Diego Silang, as attended by the Ministry of National Defence’s Undersecretary for Acquisition and Resource Management Salvador Melchor B. Mison, Jr.
He commented: “BRP Diego Silang reflects the steady progress of our modernization effort, another step in building a defence posture that keeps pace with our growing responsibilities in protecting the state and securing our sovereignty.
“Diego Silang sends a clear message that the Philippines will continue to invest in programs that strengthen maritime domain awareness, enhance deterrence, and improve our ability to uphold the rule of law.”
- You can read more details on the Navy’s Facebook page