3,200-Ton 'Diego Silang' to Be Delivered in September
First Ship 'Miguel Malvar' Launched in June Last Year
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has launched the second patrol vessel ordered by the Philippine Navy in the waters off Ulsan. It is scheduled to be delivered to the Philippine Navy in September.
On the 27th, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries held a launching ceremony for the 3,200-ton Philippine patrol vessel No. 2, named 'Diego Silang,' at its headquarters in Dong-gu, Ulsan. This is the second vessel following the first ship, 'Miguel Malvar,' which was launched in June last year. The Diego Silang measures 118.4 meters in length, 14.9 meters in width, has a cruising speed of 15 knots (approximately 28 km/h), and a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,330 km). It is equipped with advanced weapon systems including a close-in weapon system, vertical launch system, hull-mounted sonar, and search radar.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries held the launching ceremony for the 3,200-ton Philippine patrol ship No. 2, 'Diego Silang,' on the 27th at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries headquarters located in Dong-gu, Ulsan. (Photo by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries)
The Diego Silang is expected to be delivered to the Philippine Navy in September after sea trials and final outfitting work.
The ceremony was attended by Philippine military and government officials including Salvador Melchor Mison, Deputy Secretary for Acquisition of the Philippine Department of National Defense; Romeo Brouner, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Jose Ma Ambrosio Ezpeleta, Chief of Naval Staff; and Maria Teresa Dizondevega, Philippine Ambassador to Korea. From South Korea, Lee Sang-kyun, CEO of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Cho Hyun-gi, Director of the Defense Ministry’s Power Resources Office; Lee Sang-woo, Head of the Korean Submarine Project Group at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration; and Ahn Sang-min, Commander of the Navy Logistics Command, were present.
Previously, the Philippine government has been conducting a military modernization project to modernize and strengthen its navy by acquiring multiple vessels. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has received orders for a total of 10 ships, including 2 frigates (2016), 2 patrol vessels (2021), and 6 offshore patrol vessels (2022).
At the launching ceremony, CEO Lee Sang-kyun said, "We are very pleased to successfully launch the second Philippine patrol vessel, Diego Silang, following the first ship." He added, "Based on the strengthened cooperative relationship between the two countries, we will continue to actively support the successful modernization of the Philippine military."
Meanwhile, the first vessel, launched in June last year, is scheduled to be delivered to the Philippine Navy on the 31st of this month, five months ahead of schedule.
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