Manila: Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. led the arrival ceremony for the future BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), a newly-acquired guided missile corvette, at Naval Operating Base Subic, Zambales Tuesday. In a statement, Teodoro emphasized the ship's significance as a pivotal step in strengthening the Philippines' self-reliant and credible defense posture.
According to Philippines News Agency, Teodoro outlined four key focus areas for the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines: developing core capabilities and strategic basing, identifying continuous revenue sources for sustainment, enhancing training and education, and integrating domain awareness with multi-threat response systems. He stressed the importance of not only investing in capabilities but also training individuals in the necessary technical skills.
The BRP Miguel Malvar departed from the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, on March 27 and reached the Naval Operating Base Subic on April 4. Teodoro highlighted the ship's role as a deterrent, a protector of Philippine waters, and an essential component in joint operations with allies to uphold international law.
Prior to its commissioning with the Philippine Navy, the corvette must undergo a series of technical acceptance tests and trials, conducted by the DND. Teodoro also acknowledged the Philippines' enduring partnership with South Korea, thanking them for their continued support in providing capabilities and investments that promote sustainability, resilience, and job creation.
Teodoro emphasized the significance of a strong navy as the backbone of the blue economy, linking naval strength to economic development. Referring to the upcoming Araw ng Kagitingan, he honored past heroes and urged Filipinos to persist despite challenges, stating, "Don't quit, whatever the odds. Filipinos must be proud - we will make our nation proud."
The future BRP Miguel Malvar is equipped with weapons and sensors for anti-surface, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare. The DND and HD HHI signed a PHP28 billion contract for two guided-missile corvettes on December 28, 2021. The BRP Miguel Malvar's sister ship, the prospective BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07), was launched on March 28 and is expected to arrive in the Philippines by June or July.
Corvettes, typically weighing 1,000 to 2,500 gross tons, are the smallest naval surface ships capable of countering submarines and other maritime threats. They will support the guided missile frigates BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) in enhancing the Philippines' naval defense capabilities.
