Philippine Navy Newest Warship Undergoes Sea Trials

BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), the very first of two multi-mission frigates built by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries for the Philippine Navy, has begun sea trials.

Over the next several days, a specialized crew from the shipyard will be onboard as the ship cruises in oceans off Ulsan, Busan, and Mokpo for maneuverings and seaworthiness tests.

Representatives from Lloyd Registry may also see the activity to ensure that the building of the ship has met the required standards.

BRP Jose Rizal is the first of 2 2,600-ton units built under the Frigate Acquisition Project after a contract was signed in 2016.

The 107-meter general-purpose ships will have a complement of 110 crew members. They will be capable of performing anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare.

Jose Rizal is expected to be delivered into the Philippines in the second half next year. While the second ship in the class, the BRP Antonio Luna, is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2021.

The warship is a big-ticket acquisition of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that are poised to be the benchmark of the Navy’s transformation journey.