Hyundai from South Korea Supports Quick Naval Upgrades in the Philippines

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand After years of relying on older, second-hand U.S. ships, the Philippine Navy is receiving a new wave of advanced warships as part of a rapid modernization drive. The program responds to heightened Chinese activity and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

South Koreas HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), the worlds largest shipbuilder, is the primary supplier for these vessels. The latest addition to the Philippine fleet is the BRP Diego Silang, a second HDF-3200 Hybrid frigate, commissioned on December 2. This came just six and a half months after the first ship of the class, BRP Miguel Malvare, entered service. Both frigates were purchased under a 28 billion peso ($550 million) deal signed in 2021.

With a displacement of 3,200 tons and a length of 118.4 meters, these are the most advanced warships in Philippine history. Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, stated that the Diego Silang significantly boosts the Navys capability to patrol up to the exclusive economic zone and beyond.

The HDF-3200 frigates are the first in the Philippine fleet to feature a vertical launch system, carrying 16 VL MICA missiles from MBDA and eight SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missiles from LIG Nex1. These ships join two earlier 2,600-ton Jose Rizal-class frigates built by Hyundai, which entered service in 2020-2021.

Earlier this year, Defense News observed Diego Silang under construction at Hyundais Ulsan shipyard, along with the first offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for the Philippines. Hyundai plans to deliver this vessel in March 2026. In 2022, the company was contracted to build six HDP-2200+ OPVs, with the second ship, Rajah Lakandula, launched on November 20. All six OPVs are expected to be operational by 2028.

The Philippine Navy is also planning additional frigates under its Re-Horizon 3 program, with 43 billion pesos (US$294 million) allocated for two new ships and their armaments. Hyundai is offering updated HDF-3200 or larger HDF-3500 frigates, and another contract could be finalized soon.

HHI emphasizes the strategic importance of the Philippines as a customer. A company executive noted that while naval ship revenue is only about 10% of the business, the technology and expertise involved are highly significant, sometimes even surpassing commercial shipbuilding.

South Koreas other major naval builder, Hanwha Ocean, is promoting KSS-III diesel-electric submarines to meet emerging Philippine requirements. To coordinate international marketing, Hyundai, Hanwha, and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration signed a memorandum of understanding on February 25, forming a One Team for exports. Hyundai leads on surface warships while Hanwha handles submarines, though competition between the two continues in markets such as Saudi Arabia and Thailand.

Hyundai is promoting the 6,500-ton HDF-6000 frigate, while Hanwha offers the Ocean 4500. At the Defense & Security 2025 exhibition in Bangkok, Hyundai displayed models of HDF-3200, HDF-3600, and HDF-4000 for the Royal Thai Navy, and Hanwha showcased its 4,000-ton Ocean-40F frigate. Despite challenges in Western naval programs, South Korean shipbuilders have maintained a reputation for delivering on time and within budget, with HHI expecting to deliver 48 commercial vessels and two naval ships in 2025, bringing its total naval output to 149 ships.

Author: Connor Blake