South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) marked a significant milestone in the Philippines’ naval modernization by launching the BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) at its Ulsan shipyard. This event represents a crucial step in the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program, aimed at enhancing the country’s maritime defense capabilities. The Diego Silang is the second vessel in the Miguel Malvar-class, following the BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), and is set to be commissioned between late 2025 and early 2026.
The BRP Diego Silang is named after Diego Silang y Andaya, a Filipino revolutionary leader who defied Spanish rule in the 18th century. The ship’s construction milestones began with the First Steel Cutting on November 22, 2023, followed by keel laying on June 14, 2024, and an initial launch in December 2024. The lead ship of the class, BRP Miguel Malvar, was launched on June 18, 2024, and is scheduled for early delivery on March 31, 2025.
The Miguel Malvar-class frigates are based on HD HHI’s HDC-3100 design, an upgraded and larger iteration of the HDF-2600 platform used for the Jose Rizal-class frigates. Drawing inspiration from the Republic of Korea Navy’s Incheon-class, the HDC-3100 features a stealth-enhanced design with reduced radar cross-section, smooth hull surfaces, and minimal overhangs.
- Displacement: 3,200 tons
- Length: 118.4 meters
- Beam: 14.9 meters
- Draft: 3.7 meters
- Depth: 7.2 meters
- Capacity: More than 100 personnel, two RHIBs, and aviation facilities for a 12-ton helicopter with a hangar for a 10-ton helicopter
The acquisition of the two frigates was part of the Philippine Navy’s Corvette Acquisition Project, a key component of Horizon 2 (2018–2022) under the AFP Modernization Program. The project allocated PHP 25 billion (USD 500 million) for shipbuilding and systems (Lot 1) and PHP 3 billion (USD 60 million) for munitions procurement (Lot 2). Several international shipbuilders vied for the contract, including ASFAT (Türkiye), Israel Shipyards, TKMS (Germany), Naval Group (France), Damen Group (Netherlands), and Goa Shipyard (India). Ultimately, HD HHI’s HDC-3100 design was selected via a government-to-government procurement agreement, with the Notice of Award issued on December 15, 2021, and the final contract signed on December 28, 2021.
This deal is part of a broader collaboration between the Philippine government and HD HHI, which has already supplied two 2,600-ton Jose Rizal-class frigates (2016), two 3,200-ton corvettes (2021), and six offshore patrol vessels (2022). In total, 10 warships have been ordered as part of the country’s naval expansion.
The BRP Diego Silang operates on a Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) propulsion system, consisting of:
- Four MTU-STX diesel engines
- Four MTU-STX diesel generators
- Top speed: 25 knots
- Cruising speed: 15 knots
- Range: 4,500 nautical miles
- Endurance: 20 days at sea
For anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the ship is equipped with:
- ELAC Hunter 2.0 hull-mounted sonar
- Thales CAPTAS-1 towed array sonar
State-of-the-Art Combat and Sensor Systems
The BRP Diego Silang is outfitted with cutting-edge electronic and combat systems to enhance situational awareness and combat readiness:
- Integrated Combat Management System: Hanwha Systems Naval Shield Baseline 4
- Primary Radar: EL/M-2258 ALPHA S-band 3D AESA radar (Israel Aerospace Industries Elta Systems)
- Fire Control Radar: Selex ES NA-25X
- Electro-Optical Tracking System: Safran PASEO XLR
- Navigation Radars: Hensoldt UK Kelvin Hughes SharpEye Mk.11 (I-band and E/F-band)
- Tactical Data Links: Hanwha Systems Link P, with future upgrades to Link 16 and Link 22
- CCTV Surveillance: IMENCO (via Electrix Co. Ltd.)
Electronic Warfare and Countermeasures
To bolster its defensive capabilities, the ship is equipped with:
- Electronic Warfare Suite: Elbit Systems Elisra Aquamarine R-ESM and C-ESM
- Countermeasures: Two Terma C-Guard DL-12T decoy launchers
Lethal Armament
The BRP Diego Silang carries a formidable array of weaponry:
- Anti-Ship Missiles: Eight SSM-710K C-Star missiles (two quad canisters)
- Surface-to-Air Missiles: 16-cell VLS for MBDA VL MICA missiles
- Torpedo Launchers: Two SEA triple-tube 324mm launchers (for K745 Blue Shark torpedoes)
- Naval Guns:
- 76mm OTO Melara Super Rapid main gun
- One Aselsan GOKDENIZ twin 35mm close-in weapon system (CIWS)
- Four 12.7mm heavy machine guns
The launch of BRP Diego Silang underscores the Philippines’ ongoing efforts to strengthen its maritime defense in response to regional security challenges. The deployment of these frigates will enhance the Philippine Navy’s ability to conduct territorial defense, maritime security operations, and disaster response missions. Moreover, these warships improve interoperability with allied navies, ensuring a robust presence in the Indo-Pacific.
With the Philippine Navy already planning additional acquisitions beyond Horizon 2, future projects could include the procurement of more frigates, submarines, and unmanned systems under Horizon 3 (2023–2028). The Diego Silang and its sister ships will play a key role in this transformation, serving as force multipliers in the country’s maritime domain awareness and power projection.
As the BRP Diego Silang prepares for its next milestones—including sea trials, fitting-out, and eventual commissioning—the Philippine Navy moves closer to achieving its goal of a modern and capable naval force. The ship is not only a tribute to its historic namesake but also a symbol of the Philippines’ commitment to national security and regional stability.
