Philippine Navy’s new offshore patrol vessel BRP Rajah Sulayman begins sea trials off South Korea.

The first Rajah Sulayman-class offshore patrol vessel for the Philippine Navy, the BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20), has started sea trials near South Korea. The vessel is part of a six-ship order under the $573 million Offshore Patrol Vessel Acquisition Program built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for delivery between 2025 and 2028.

On November 9, 2025, 서각 이유충 합판 그림 조각가 shared footage showing the future BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20) conducting initial sea trials off the South Korean coast, marking a key phase in the Philippine Navy’s offshore patrol vessel (OPV) program under Horizon 2 of the Revised AFP Modernization Program. Built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries at its Ulsan shipyard, the vessel is designed on the HDP-2200+ platform with a full-load displacement of about 2,450 tonnes and a 22-knot top speed. Delivery is expected by the end of 2025, with final acceptance scheduled for March 2026 after additional testing and outfitting.
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The Rajah Sulayman-class offshore patrol vessel traces its origins to the Philippine Navy’s Horizon 2 modernization phase launched in 2018, which authorized the acquisition of six next-generation offshore patrol ships to replace aging World War II-era vessels. (Picture source: Youtube/서각 이유충 합판 그림 조각가)

The BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20) is the lead ship of the new Rajah Sulayman-class offshore patrol vessels, constructed for the Philippine Navy by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) at its Ulsan shipyard. Delivery of the ship is expected before the end of 2025, with handover planned for March 2026 after trials and final outfitting. The project falls under the Offshore Patrol Vessel Acquisition Program included in the Horizon 2 phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP). The order covers six units based on HHI’s HDP-2200+ design, selected after the June 27, 2022 contract signing valued at approximately $573 million, aiming to enhance the Philippines’ maritime patrol and surveillance capacity.

Each vessel of the Rajah Sulayman-class has a full-load displacement between 2,400 and 2,450 tonnes, measures 94.4 meters in overall length, 14.3 meters in beam, and 3.7 meters in draft, and operates under a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) propulsion arrangement. Two MTU-STX diesel engines power Kongsberg Maritime Kamewa 86 A/5 D-B controllable-pitch propellers, offering a maximum speed of 22 knots at 85 percent maximum continuous rating, a cruising range of 5,500 nautical miles at 15 knots, and an endurance of 30 days. The crew complement is 72 personnel, supported by integrated automation and habitability systems for long-duration missions. The hull form emphasizes reduced radar signature and endurance in heavy seas, while an internal layout allows for improved accommodation and modular system placement. The stern includes a ramp for one 9.5-meter rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB), while two 7.2-meter RHIBs are located in side bays.

Primary armament consists of a single 76 mm OTO Melara Super Rapid naval gun positioned forward, supported by two Aselsan SMASH 30 mm remote-controlled weapon systems and two 12.7 mm heavy machine guns. The layout allows space and structural provisions for later addition of point-defense missile launchers, close-in weapon systems, or electronic warfare pods. A helicopter deck and hangar support aircraft up to 10 tonnes, such as the AW109 or equivalent naval helicopter, and can also accommodate unmanned aerial vehicles for reconnaissance. The stern mission bay is designed for containerized payloads or towed-array sonar systems and can house mission-specific equipment for mine countermeasures, humanitarian operations, or electronic warfare. Each ship carries three RHIBs for boarding, interception, or rescue, enabling flexible deployment of boarding teams and support personnel during extended patrols.

The onboard sensor suite integrates systems from South Korea and Europe to provide wide-area surveillance and target tracking. Core systems include the Hanwha Systems combat management system (CMS), Leonardo SPS-732 X-band 2D air and surface search radar, Safran PASEO XLR electro-optical identification and fire-control sensor, and Hensoldt UK SharpEye Mk.11 I-band navigation radar. Navigation is managed through the Anschütz Synapsis NX integrated bridge and navigation system, which centralizes control and information display. The electronic warfare suite includes radar electronic support measures (R-ESM) and Terma A/S C-Guard DL-6T decoy launchers, each with six 130 mm tubes for infrared and radio-frequency countermeasures. GeoSpectrum Technologies of Canada supplies TRAPS towed active-passive sonar systems for three ships in the class, expanding detection range against submarines or underwater threats.

The contract signed in 2022 followed a government-to-government procurement process after competitive proposals from Hyundai Heavy Industries and Türkiye’s ASFAT. Hyundai’s offer evolved from the HDP-1500 Neo concept to the enlarged HDP-2200 and final HDP-2200+ version, which incorporated an increased hull length, higher displacement, and improved modularity. The HDP-2200+ received an Approval in Principle from classification society DNV, verifying design compliance for naval standards. Cost per ship was estimated at PHP 5 billion or about $95.5 million at 2021 rates, with deliveries scheduled between 2025 and 2028. Each vessel will feature a combined platform management system, integrated communication suite, and link-ready data systems for interoperability with other naval assets. According to published system data, the CMS and tactical data link supply contracts for all six ships total about $34.5 million combined.

Construction of the first ship began with the keel laying of BRP Rajah Sulayman on February 5, 2025, followed by launching on June 11, 2025. Subsequent vessels, BRP Rajah Lakandula (PS-21), BRP Rajah Humabon (PS-22), BRP Sultan Kudarat (PS-23), BRP Datu Marikudo (PS-24), and BRP Datu Sikatuna (PS-25), are all under assembly at Ulsan and will be delivered successively through 2028. The class will replace older Jacinto-class patrol vessels and complement the Jose Rizal-class frigates and upcoming HDC-3100 corvettes built by the same shipbuilder. Each OPV is intended for low- to medium-intensity maritime operations such as anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, border surveillance, disaster relief, and patrol of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. These units will also alleviate workload from the Philippine Coast Guard and older navy assets tasked with maritime law enforcement and deterrence duties in the South China Sea and the Luzon Strait.

The introduction of the Rajah Sulayman-class represents the third consecutive naval project executed between the Philippines and Hyundai Heavy Industries, following the 2016 frigate program and 2021 corvette deal. The vessels use a simplified internal layout with greater automation, modular stern spaces for future containerized payloads, and endurance sufficient for sustained offshore patrols without resupply. The hull design is derived from earlier Jose Rizal-class construction experience and optimized for range and survivability at reduced operational cost. Once all six vessels are delivered, the Philippine Navy will operate a modern, long-range patrol force capable of 30-day missions over 5,500 nautical miles, integrated with combat management, navigation, and electronic support systems supplied by Hanwha, Leonardo, Hensoldt, Safran, Anschütz, and GeoSpectrum. Their entry into service between 2026 and 2028 will complete a key modernization objective to expand maritime security coverage and standardize patrol fleet capabilities.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.