THE Philippine Navy’s first missile-capable warship on Monday afternoon left a shipyard in South Korea, where it was built under the ongoing modernization program of the Armed Forces, and steamed home.
The frigate, which will be christened BRP Jose Rizal, is due to arrive at the Subic Bay anchorage area in Zambales on Saturday, according to Navy public affairs information officer Lt. Cdr. Maria Christina Roxas.
Its crew of 65 will undergo a 14-day quarantine aboard ship upon arrival. After that, the ship will undergo technical inspection prior to a “low-key acceptance ceremony,” Roxas said.
The ship was sent off from a shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea by officials of the Philippine Navy and representatives from the ship builder, Hyundai Heavy Industries; and Hanwha Systems that manufactured the combat management system installed on the ship.
Roxas said the send-off ceremony was simple and adhered to the South Korean government’s “measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.”
Roxas said the ship has “successfully undergone sea trials and sea acceptance test” long before it steamed home.
During the send-off rites, Roxas said Hyundai and Hanwha donated COVID-19 relief supplies for the use of Navy. The donated supplies were received by Capt. Amil Angeles, the Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to Korea.
Hyundai has signed a contract to build two frigates for the Navy for P18 billion in 2016. The actual construction of the BRP Jose Rizal began in 2017, followed by the second ship a few months later.
The second ship, to be named BRP Antonio Luna, is due to delivered later this year.
BRP Jose Rizal was supposed to be delivered during the third or fourth week of April but its delivery was delayed “due to travel restrictions as a result of the (COVID-19) pandemic.”
“(The) Philippine Navy, with the arrival of said vessel, will have its first ever multi-mission capable frigate capable of conducting anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and electronic warfare operations,” said Roxas.
Roxas said the ship has a maximum speed of 25 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots and a range of 4,500 nautical miles.
The arrival of BRP Jose Rizal and that of BRP Antonio Luna later this year will greatly boost the Navy’s territorial defense capability to protect the country’s interests in the disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea.
“The Philippine Navy, through its strategic sail plan, has identified 2020 as its banner year for being a strong and credible Navy manifested through the arrival of its brand new and first ever multi-mission capable warship that, truly, our maritime nation can be proud of, ” said Roxas.
A number of big ticket items are in the pipeline for acquisition for the use of the Navy, including two corvettes that defense officials said may cost about P30 billion.
