Missile frigate, Korea-donated ship to be delivered soon to PH

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 24) — Two warships, including the country's first missile-capable frigate, will soon boost the Philippine Navy's fleet.

The Department of National Defense on Friday said BRP Jose Rizal will be delivered to the country by 2020. It first hit waters during its launching in South Korea on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the BRP Conrado Yap, a Pohang-class corvette donated by the South Korean government, will sail to the country much earlier. It will arrive by July after undergoing refurbishment works in June, the Philippine Navy said.

The ship was named Conrado Yap to honor the heroism of the Filipino soldier who was killed during the Korean War in 1951.

The vessel is capable of moving at a speed of 25 knots to a distance of 4,000 nautical miles, the Philippine Navy said, noting that it will enhance the country's anti-submarine and anti-surface capabilities.

The launching ceremony for BRP Jose Rizal also marked the start of construction of another missile-capable frigate, the BRP Antonio Luna, which is expected to be completed in 2021.

"The two frigates will be the first ever PN warships that are capable of conducting Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Electronic Warfare (EW) Operations. These ships will be fully equipped with Surface to Air and Surface to Surface Missiles, torpedoes, launchers and weapon systems for fourdimensional warfare," the DND said in its statement.