HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has successfully launched the second 3,200-ton patrol vessel for the Philippine Navy. The company announced on March 27 that it held the launch ceremony for the second 3,200-ton Philippine patrol vessel, the “Diego Silang,” in Ulsan. Previously, it launched the first vessel, the “Miguel Malvar,” in June of last year.

The event was attended by Lee Sang-kyun, CEO of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Cho Hyun-ki, director general of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration; Lee Sang-woo, head of the Korean Submarine Project Group; and Rear Admiral Ahn Sang-min, commander of the Naval Logistics Command. From the Philippines, Salvador Melchor Mison, undersecretary for acquisition of the Department of National Defense; Romeo Brawner, chief of staff of the Armed Forces; Jose Ma Ambrosio Ezpeleta, chief of the Navy; and Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Philippine ambassador to South Korea, were present.

The Diego Silang is a state-of-the-art vessel measuring 118.4 meters in length and 14.9 meters in width, with a cruising speed of 15 knots (28 km/h) and a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,330 km). It is equipped with advanced weapon systems such as a close-in weapon system, vertical launch system, hull-mounted sonar, and search radar.

The Diego Silang is named after a leader of the Philippine independence movement who resisted Spanish rule. It is scheduled to undergo sea trials and final outfitting before being delivered to the Philippine Navy in September of this year.

Previously, the Philippine government, in its military modernization efforts to enhance naval capabilities, ordered a total of 10 vessels from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, including two frigates (2016), two patrol vessels (2021), and six offshore patrol vessels (2022).

The first patrol vessel, the “Miguel Malvar,” launched in June of last year, is set to be delivered to the Philippine Navy on March 31, five months ahead of schedule.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plans to enhance the competitiveness of K-maritime defense by establishing partnerships in overseas bases, building local construction systems, and standardizing technology transfer packages based on advanced technology in the shipbuilding sector.

Lee Sang-kyun, CEO of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated, “We will continue to actively support the success of the Philippine military modernization based on the strengthened cooperative relationship between the two countries.”

Source:Business Korea