South Korea will supply two additional next-generation frigates to the Philippine Navy under a contract valued at 850 billion won ($587 million), Korea JoongAng Daily reported.
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration reportedly signed the agreement in Manila with the Philippine Department of National Defense.
Under the deal, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will build and deliver two 3,200-ton frigates, with deliveries scheduled for completion by 2029.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has previously delivered multiple vessels to the Philippines under the Horizon 3 modernization program, including patrol ships.
In June 2024, the company launched the Philippine Navy’s 3,200-ton Miguel Malvar-class frigate, part of the same ship class covered by the new contract.
The Philippines first ordered two frigates from the South Korean shipbuilder in a $556-million deal signed in 2021.
The small, fast warships are primarily designed to escort and protect other vessels from attack.
Boosting Defense
The recent deal is linked to the Philippines’ ongoing military modernization drive, as Manila continues to invest in new weapons and equipment to strengthen its defense posture amid evolving regional security challenges.
The acquisition falls under Re-Horizon 3, the final phase of a three-stage modernization program launched in 2013 following rising tensions in the South China Sea.
Re-Horizon 3 prioritizes improvements in maritime and air domain awareness, along with enhanced surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence, and network connectivity.
Before Re-Horizon 3 was approved, the armed forces of the Philippines had proposed an earlier Horizon 3 plan that outlined potential procurements, including multi-role fighter aircraft, frigates, missile systems, and radar assets.
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