The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on the 26th that Korea and the Philippines had signed a contract to export two frigates worth USD 600 million. The contract is part of the second-phase frigate program for the modernization of the Philippine Navy.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will build two state-of-the-art 3,200-ton class frigates and deliver them to the Philippine Navy by 2029. The export value is USD 578 million (approximately KRW 840 billion).

DAPA stated, “This is a remarkable achievement made possible by the government’s proactive sales diplomacy combined with the technological capabilities and efforts of defense companies,” adding, “In particular, the pledge for continued defense cooperation made at the Korea-Philippines summit held on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Gyeongju in October gave strong momentum to the project.”

Previously, in 2016, the Philippines decided to procure two frigates (Jose Rizal-class, 2,600 tons) built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries under the first-phase frigate program. According to DAPA, the two vessels were delivered in 2020 and 2021, respectively, and are currently serving as key assets in Philippine maritime operations. The Philippines also signed contracts with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for the acquisition of a total of 10 vessels, including two patrol vessels in 2021 and six offshore patrol vessels in 2022. In addition, it has decided, in two separate tranches in 2014 and this year, to procure a total of 24 Korean FA-50 light attack aircraft, effectively operating Korean-made weapons as the core of its armed forces.

Lee Yong-chul, Commissioner of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, said, “This second-phase frigate contract is a symbol of the Philippine government’s unwavering trust in K-defense,” adding, “Korea plans to expand defense cooperation in areas such as guided missiles and space in the future.”

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