Ulsan: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. announced the successful launch of the first of six offshore patrol vessels ordered by the Philippine Navy, marking a significant step in Manila's naval modernization efforts. The launch ceremony for the 2,400-ton vessel, named Rajah Sulayman after a 16th-century Filipino war hero, took place at the company's headquarters in Ulsan.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the new patrol vessel boasts dimensions of 94 meters in length and 14 meters in width. It is designed to cruise at a speed of 15 knots and has an impressive maximum range of 5,500 nautical miles. Following trials, the vessel is expected to be delivered to the Philippine Navy by March 2026, with the remaining five ships scheduled for delivery through 2028.
The shipbuilding contract forms part of a broader defense partnership between South Korea and the Philippines. Since 2016, HD Hyundai Heavy has been commissioned by the Philippine government to construct 10 naval vessels, including two frigates, underscoring the growing defense ties between the two nations.
The launch ceremony was attended by key figures including Philippine Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega. Joo Won-ho, head of HD Hyundai Heavy's special vessel division, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, "With strong mutual trust, we will actively support the Philippine military's modernization program as a core partner in South Korea's international maritime defense cooperation."