HD Hyundai Heavy Industries launched the second 3,200-ton patrol vessel for the Philippine Navy successfully into the sea. The patrol vessel is set to be delivered to the Philippine Navy in September.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries noted it held the launching ceremony for the 3,200-ton Philippine patrol vessel, named Diego Silang, at its Ulsan headquarters on the 27th.
The Diego Silang vessel is a state-of-the-art ship measuring 118.4 meters in length, 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 will be equipped with advanced weapons systems, including a close-in weapon system, vertical launch system, hull-mounted sonar, and search radar.
After undergoing sea trials and final outfitting work, it is expected to be delivered to the Philippine Navy in September. The name Diego Silang honors a leader of the Philippine independence movement who resisted Spanish rule and established an independent state.
Previously, the Philippine government ordered a total of 10 vessels from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries including ▲ two corvettes (2016) ▲ two patrol vessels (2021) ▲ six offshore patrol vessels (2022), in order to modernize its military.
The first vessel, the Miguel Malvar, launched in June last year, is scheduled to be delivered to the Philippine Navy on the 31st, five months ahead of schedule. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has delivered all vessels from the 2,600-ton Philippine corvette to the 3,200-ton patrol vessel ahead of schedule since 2021.
Lee Sang-kyun, president of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, said, "I am very pleased to successfully launch the second vessel, the Diego Silang, following the first patrol vessel for the Philippines, and I will actively support the modernization of the Philippine military based on the cooperative relationship between the two countries."