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New frigate BRP Miguel Malvar strengthens Philippine Navy's deterrence and regional cooperation at sea.
On April 8, 2025, the Philippine Navy officially welcomed its newest combat vessel, the future frigate BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG06), during an arrival ceremony held at the Naval Operating Base Subic, in the province of Zambales. The event, presided over by Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., was attended by several civilian and military officials, highlighting the strategic importance of this ship in enhancing the country’s maritime capabilities.
Designed as a new-generation multirole combat platform, it is equipped with a 3D AESA radar, C-STAR anti-ship missiles, VL MICA vertical launch systems for air defense, and the Gökdeniz close-in weapon system (Picture source: Philippine Navy)
Among the attendees were General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; H.E. Sang-Hwa Lee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines; Vice Admiral Jose Ma Ambrosio Ezpeleta, Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy; Rear Admiral Joe Anthony Orbe, Commander of the Philippine Fleet; and Captain Paul Michael Hechanova, Commanding Officer of the BRP Miguel Malvar.
The vessel arrived in the Philippines on April 4, 2025, from South Korea, a longstanding defense partner. Measuring 118.4 meters in length and 14.9 meters in width, it has a range of 4,500 nautical miles, a cruising speed of 15 knots, and a top speed of 25 knots. Designed as a new-generation multirole combat platform, it is equipped with a 3D AESA radar, C-STAR anti-ship missiles, VL MICA vertical launch systems for air defense, and the Gökdeniz close-in weapon system. These capabilities enable the ship to conduct surface, anti-submarine, and air defense missions with a level of sophistication surpassing that of the Jose Rizal-class frigates.
In his address, Secretary Teodoro emphasized that the ship was not only intended to deter threats and protect Philippine waters but also to contribute to joint and combined operations with other countries, in line with international law. He noted that such multinational cooperation has become a necessary element in promoting regional stability.
The Defense Secretary also outlined key areas of focus in the country’s defense strategy: developing core capabilities and support systems, ensuring sustainable funding for maintenance, providing continuous training and education for personnel, and integrating maritime domain awareness and response mechanisms to establish a unified, multi-domain defense posture. He expressed appreciation for the Republic of Korea’s ongoing support, underlining its role as a longstanding partner in building a resilient and sustainable defense sector. He specifically acknowledged the capital investments that have contributed to both capability-building and structural resilience.
The BRP Miguel Malvar is the first of two ships in a new class of frigates intended to strengthen the Philippine Navy’s surface fleet. It now enters a phase of further testing and crew training, which is essential before achieving limited operational capability status. As the weapons systems and munitions are yet to be integrated, the ship will reach full operational readiness only after their delivery and validation.
Its sister ship, the BRP Diego Silang (FFG07), is expected to be delivered by September 2025, completing the pair of vessels designed to address the country’s growing maritime security requirements. The arrival of the Miguel Malvar is part of the broader Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program, which aims to equip the military with more modern and adaptable assets in response to current geopolitical challenges.
The official arrival of the Miguel Malvar in Subic represents a significant step in the ongoing enhancement of the Philippines’ naval capabilities. With its multirole configuration, the vessel contributes to the Philippine Navy’s operational development and reflects the implementation of strategic defense partnerships, particularly with South Korea. This milestone comes at a time when the country continues to adapt its defense posture to a regional context marked by persistent maritime security concerns.