With this new order worth about 34.5 million US dollars, Hanwha Systems is set to equip a total of 13 Philippine Navy vessels. The datalink deal alone is worth about 5 million dollars. Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) signed a contract in June 2022 with the Philippine Department of National Defense on June 27th to construct six units of new build 2,400 ton Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) worth USD 573 million.
According to the company, “the CMS is a core system that acts as the ‘brain’ of a ship. It is a core weapon system for ships that integrates various sensors, armament, and communication systems to comprehensively recognize and judge battlefield situations to enable optimal combat missions.”
Hanwha Systems is already supplying its CMS to the Philippine Navy’s two Jose Rizal-class Frigates (which were also built in South Korea by HHI) and three Del Pilar-class OPVs (former Hamilton-class cutters) as part of a mid-life update program.
In a press release, Hanwha Systems explained the company is eyeing additional business in the Philippines: “Hanwha Systems plans to actively participate in the project to introduce new vessels such as submarines, high-speed boats, and LPD (Landing Platform Dock), which are scheduled as part of the Philippine Navy’s modernization plan. The Philippines is focusing on strengthening its naval power amid territorial disputes in the South China Sea and rising military tensions in the Western Pacific”.
“We are the only company in Korea that can supply combat systems with technological maturity at the level of advanced countries for overseas export ships. We will expand exports to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America by mobilizing our unrivaled CMS development, mass production, follow-up logistics support capabilities, and ‘K-defense’ competitiveness.”
Eo Seong-cheol, CEO of Hanwha Systems
Hanwha Systems also supply the CMS aboard most Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy vessels. At MADEX 2021, the company unveiled the CMS for the future FFX Batch III frigtage:
At MADEX 2019 we interview Hanwha Systems regarding the upgrade program for Philippines Navy Del Pilar-class:
