MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Tuesday, April 8, welcomed the arrival of its newest warship, a 118.4-meter long vessel that will later be commissioned as the BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG06).
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jr., Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Joe Anthony Orbe, and the vessel’s commanding officer Paul Michael Hechanova led arrival ceremonies at the Naval Operating Base Subic in Zambales.
The vessel arrived from South Korea on April 4, said the Department of National Defense.
It has a range of 4,500 nautical miles, a cruising speed of 15 knots, and a maximum speed of 25 knots. It can conduct anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-aircraft missions, and is armed with advanced sensors and weapons systems.
The new corvette is part of a 2021 deal awarded to Hyundai Heavy Industries. A second corvette is expected in 2026.
“BRP Miguel Malvar is here today not only to serve as a deterrent and as a protector of our waters but also as an important component — not only in joint operations but in the equally important combined operations — as we learn with other countries to work with one another in the spirit of upholding norms of international law,” Teodoro said, according to the DND’s media release.
The navy’s newest warship will be named after the Filipino general who served in both the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War. – Rappler.com