Philippine Navy press release
FF151s sister ship, the BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) rendered the customary meeting procedure and passing exercise (PASSEX) followed by both ships first maneuvering exercises (MANNEX), a momentous feat in the PN and AFPs history captured by an AW109 naval helicopter in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX). This procedure was complemented by a fly-by of three FA-50 jets from the Philippine Air Force.
This time-honored maritime tradition was conducted to commemorate FF151s arrival to our territorial waters and to extend and maximize the training and systems familiarization opportunities of every crew aboardship in preparation for independent ship operation.
Frigate Antonio Luna will sail in formation with frigate Jose Rizal through Manila Bay before proceeding to its anchorage area in Subic, Zambales where the crew and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) personnel will observe mandatory quarantine period. A simple arrival ceremony will be conducted later this month upon completion of the quarantine period and satisfactory result of their COVID-19 swab test.
The second fast-frigate of the PN which will be christened as BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) once commissioned to service, entered Philippine waters last February 7 in the vicinity of Mavulis Island, Itbayat, Batanes, after its successful maiden voyage from Ulsan, South Korea.
The Department of National Defense and Philippine Navy joint inspection team earlier approved the acceptance and delivery of the said vessel to the Philippines.
Frigate Antonio Luna will complete the PN Frigate Acquisition Project that fulfills the PNs thrust of having modern platforms and systems that provide opportunities for its personnel to develop modern mindsets and propel the whole organization into becoming a multi-capable naval force responsive to our maritime nations defense and development.
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About Jose Rizal-class
The contract for the construction of two light frigates was signed between the Philippines and HHI in October 2016. The contract was signed following the victory of HHI in an international tender. The tender purchase value of the two ships was determined to be 15.744571584 billion Philippine pesos (about $ 311 million). This price point is for the ship only (weapons systems not included).
According to the shipyard, the frigates for the Philippines are based on an HHI design, which is a smaller version of the Incheon frigates (FFX-I) being built for the ROK Navy fleet. The Philippine frigates have a standard displacement of about 2,600 tons and a length of 107 meters. The diesel main power plant under the CODAD scheme should provide a full speed of 25 knots, a cruising range of 4500 nautical miles at a speed of 15 knots.
The Philippine frigate have four anti-ship missile launchers (presumably, for South Korean SSM-700K Haeseong / C-Star by LIG Nex1), two SIMBAD-RC short range SAM system by MBDA, a 76-mm main gun, one Aselsan SMASH 30mm secondary gun, two 324-mm three-tube torpedo launchers (presumably for K745 Chung Sang Eo / Blue Shark torpedoes by LIG Nex1). They are fitted for but not with an 8x cell VLS for surface to air missiles. The ship has an helicopter deck and hangar to accommodate a Leonardo AW159 Lynx Wildcat helicopter (two such helicopters have been ordered for the Navy of the Philippines). Most of the sensor and electronic suites are provided by Thales.
