HD Hyundai Heavy Industries launches Philippine Navy vessel out to sea

The 3,200-ton Philippine patrol vessel 'BRP Miguel Malvar,' launched Tuesday at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' headquarters in Ulsan. [HD HYUNDAI]

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries launched the Philippine Navy's patrol vessel, BRP Miguel Malvar, out to sea on Tuesday at its Ulsan headquarters.

High-ranking military officials, including Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr.; Romeo S. Brawner Jr., chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; and Toribio Adaci Jr., flag officer in command of the Philippine Navy, attended the ceremony for the launch of the 3,200-ton vessel.

Representing Korea were Vice Chief of Naval Operations Kang Dong-gil, Vice Minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration Kang Hwan-seug, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries CEO Lee Sang-kyun.

The BRP Miguel Malvar is a state-of-the-art vessel measuring 118.4 meters in length and 14.9 meters in width, with a speed of about 28 kilometers (17.4 miles) per hour and a total range of 8,330 kilometers.

It is equipped with advanced weapon systems, including antiship missiles, vertical launch systems, and fire controls as well as ASEA and multifunction radar.

The vessel was named to honor Filipino independence activist Miguel Malvar.

The BRP Miguel Malvar is scheduled to be delivered to the Philippine Navy by 2025. A second patrol vessel will launch in December of this year with delivery slated for 2025.

The Philippine government previously ordered a total of 10 vessels from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries as part of its naval modernization and enhancement programs. Two frigates were ordered in 2016, two patrol vessels in 2021 and six offshore patrol vessels in 2022.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plans to materialize its “Pan-Pacific Belt Vision” by establishing regional overseas bases in countries such as the Philippines, Peru, Australia, Saudi Arabia and the United States. The company aims to expand Korea’s ship exports with the Philippines as a key base.

“HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will do its best to participate in the subsequent projects of patrol and escort vessels, which are part of the Philippines' third-phase military modernization program.” CEO Lee Sang-kyun said.

BY CHOI HAE-JIN [choi.haejin@joongang.co.kr]