Hanwha Systems Makes Fifth Additional Export of "the Brain of Warships" Combat Management System to the Philippines

Domestic Combat Management Systems Installed on a Total of 15 Philippine Naval Vessels

Hanwha Systems will supply additional “the brain of warships” Combat Management Systems (CMS) to the Philippine Navy. This marks the fifth order for combat management systems for Philippine naval vessels.

Scene of anti-submarine warfare simulation using Hanwha Systems Combat Management System (CMS). Hanwha Systems

On December 31, Hanwha Systems announced that it had signed a contract to supply approximately 40 billion KRW (about 30 million USD) worth of Combat Management Systems (CMS) and Tactical Data Links (TDL) for two next-generation 3,200-ton class frigates for the Philippine Navy.

The combat management system is a core weapon system that detects and analyzes various threats in real time using a range of sensors installed on the vessel, and issues commands to various weapon systems such as naval guns and missiles to ensure optimal combat operations. The Tactical Data Link (TDL) to be supplied together is a communication system that allows naval forces to share tactical information in real time, thereby enhancing combat efficiency.

Since 2017, Hanwha Systems has equipped a total of 15 Philippine Navy vessels with domestically developed combat management systems through five separate export contracts: two 2,600-ton class frigates in 2017; a performance upgrade project for three 3,000-ton class Del Pilar-Class Frigates (DPCF) in 2019; two 3,100-ton class corvettes in 2022; six 2,400-ton class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) in 2023; and now two next-generation 3,200-ton class frigates. The combat management systems and tactical data links to be supplied this time are tailored to the complex operational environment and unique maritime security situation of the Philippines, which consists of more than 7,600 islands.

Since 2000, Hanwha Systems has successfully developed and localized combat management systems using its own proprietary technology, and now supplies these systems to nearly all surface and underwater vessels used by the Republic of Korea Navy, including destroyers, frigates, fast attack craft, and submarines.

A Hanwha Systems representative stated, "We plan to continuously strengthen the competitiveness of our domestically developed combat management systems and expand our export markets to the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the United States, and South America. We aim to grow beyond contributing to the Republic of Korea’s maritime security and become a leading K-defense company providing global maritime solutions." The representative added, "Given that high operational compatibility with existing vessels is essential for naval combat, we also expect additional exports of Hanwha Systems’ combat management systems to the Philippines."