In a significant milestone for its maritime defence ambitions, the Philippine Navy has formally commissioned the BRP Miguel Malvar (PN-92), the country’s most advanced surface combatant to date. This high-profile induction marks a pivotal shift in Manila’s ability to project naval power and protect its maritime interests amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.
Displacing 3,200 tonnes and designed for high-threat environments, the BRP Miguel Malvar is the first of two newly built corvettes acquired from South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) under a 2021 agreement that reflects the Philippines’ commitment to modernising its long-neglected naval fleet. Its sister ship, the BRP Diego Silang, was launched last month and is expected to be commissioned later this year.
At a commissioning ceremony held at Subic Naval Base, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. hailed the BRP Miguel Malvar’s arrival as a landmark achievement in the country’s decades-long effort to build a modern, credible, and self-reliant military.
“The BRP Miguel Malvar is not only a symbol of our maritime sovereignty,” Teodoro said, “but a critical asset that will strengthen our role in joint and combined operations alongside regional and global allies. This ship embodies our strategic intent to uphold international law and protect our national interests.”
He went on to link naval strength with long-term economic security, highlighting that the foundation of the Philippines’ vision for a Blue Economy—a sustainable approach to managing ocean resources—relies heavily on maritime security.
“How can you develop a blue economy if you do not have a strong navy?” Teodoro asked. “You need a strong navy as an anchor, as a backbone, as a spine of the blue economy. So, this is our offering to those that went before us, to the heroes who went before us.”
The Miguel Malvar-class represents a generational leap for the Philippine Navy. Measuring 118.4 meters in length with a beam of 14.9 meters, the corvette boasts endurance for over 4,500 nautical miles at cruising speed—enabling it to sustain operations deep into contested waters.
More than just its range, the BRP Miguel Malvar stands out for its formidable sensor and weapons suite. It is equipped with the C-STAR supersonic anti-ship missile, the vertical launch VL MICA air-defence system, and an advanced 3D AESA radar—technologies typically found only on warships of more advanced navies.
Together, these systems create a layered defence network capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralising aerial and surface threats, including sea-skimming missiles, hostile aircraft, and enemy warships. The ship’s combat management system integrates data from multiple sources, giving its crew the tools for fast, informed decision-making in rapidly evolving scenarios.
This modernisation significantly upgrades the Philippine Navy’s capability to perform key roles such as sea control, maritime interdiction, and joint operations with regional allies—capabilities that have become increasingly crucial as regional flashpoints intensify.
The arrival of the BRP Miguel Malvar is just one piece of a broader effort to revitalise the country’s maritime force under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernisation Program, a multi-phase initiative that began in 2012 but has struggled with budget constraints and bureaucratic delays.
After years of stagnation, the past three years have seen a burst of momentum. In addition to the new corvettes, the Navy has recently inducted two Acero-class fast attack interdiction craft (FAICs) from Israel. These smaller, missile-capable vessels are designed for littoral warfare—highly mobile and lethal in archipelagic and coastal zones where larger vessels may be less effective.
According to Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, who leads Navy operations in the West Philippine Sea, these newer assets allow the Philippines to assert its presence more credibly within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
“We are no longer simply observing,” said Trinidad. “We are actively defending and protecting what is rightfully ours under international law.”
Trinidad confirmed that both José Rizal-class frigates—previously the only modern surface warships in the Philippine Navy—are now permanently forward deployed in the West Philippine Sea to reinforce national claims and monitor foreign incursions.
The timing of the BRP Miguel Malvar’s commissioning could not be more strategic. The South China Sea remains a hotspot of geopolitical tension, where overlapping territorial claims, military brinkmanship, and illegal fishing challenge the stability and sovereignty of Southeast Asian states.
China’s increasingly assertive actions in the region—such as deploying coast guard vessels, maritime militia, and building artificial islands with military infrastructure—have prompted Manila to deepen its defence ties with traditional allies like the United States, Japan, Australia, and South Korea.
In return, the Philippines has welcomed expanded joint military exercises, increased port visits by foreign navies, and now, the acquisition of cutting-edge platforms from trusted international partners.
Manila’s growing security cooperation is part of a larger Indo-Pacific strategy led by Washington, which views the Philippines as a critical ally in a region marked by intensifying great power competition.
While the BRP Miguel Malvar strengthens surface capabilities, the most ambitious and strategically significant development may yet lie beneath the waves.
Earlier this year, Philippine defence authorities announced plans to acquire two attack submarines—marking the final and most expensive phase of the AFP’s modernisation blueprint. If realised, the deal will introduce a submarine arm into the Philippine Navy for the first time in history, dramatically altering the country’s deterrence posture.
A bidding war is now underway, with top naval manufacturers from Spain, France, and South Korea each offering advanced submarine packages.
Spain’s Navantia has proposed delivering two S-80 “Isaac Peral”-class submarines, valued at US$1.7 billion. The deal includes the construction of a submarine base and logistics hub in Ormoc, Leyte—a crucial infrastructure boost that would anchor the new capability.
France’s Naval Group is offering the Scorpène-class, a diesel-electric submarine known for its quiet operation and adaptability. Already in use by regional navies like Malaysia, the Scorpène provides proven performance and compatibility with ASEAN partners.
South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, meanwhile, is proposing its Jang Bogo-III class submarine, equipped with next-generation propulsion and lithium-ion battery technology for longer submerged operations. With six torpedo tubes and the ability to fire land-attack missiles, this vessel brings a flexible and formidable option to the table.
These proposals are under close evaluation, with factors such as cost, maintenance, local industry involvement, and geopolitical alignment weighing heavily in Manila’s decision.
The Philippine military, long hampered by outdated platforms and limited budgets, now finds itself at a turning point. With a US$35 billion modernisation roadmap guiding investments through 2035, decisions made today will define how the Philippines protects its maritime sovereignty for the next generation.
Incorporating submarines into its naval doctrine would not only bolster the country’s deterrence capabilities but also signal a maturation of strategic thought—an understanding that presence, survivability, and interoperability are crucial in a contested Indo-Pacific environment.
Crucially, the Philippine Navy’s transformation is not unfolding in isolation. It aligns with broader regional trends, where Southeast Asian states are investing in naval upgrades to keep pace with China’s expanding maritime footprint and secure vital sea lanes critical for global trade.
In this context, the BRP Miguel Malvar is more than a new warship—it’s a statement of intent.
The commissioning of the BRP Miguel Malvar sends a clear message: the Philippines is no longer content to be a passive player in regional maritime affairs. It is stepping forward, with eyes wide open to the risks and responsibilities of defending its waters.
While the challenges are real—ranging from grey-zone tactics by foreign vessels to the enormous costs of sustaining modern platforms—the direction is unmistakable. The Philippine Navy is transitioning from a coast-hugging force to one capable of extended operations, inter-operability with allies, and credible deterrence.
As tensions simmer in the South China Sea, Manila is betting that strength at sea is not just a function of firepower, but of strategic foresight, partnerships, and political will. And with the BRP Miguel Malvar leading the way, that bet is beginning to pay off.
