South Korea Close to Securing Deal for Two More “Miguel Malvar” Frigates
Manila / Seoul, 24 November 2025 — South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) is reportedly in final-stage talks to deliver two additional Miguel Malvar-class guided-missile frigates to the Philippine Navy, according to a financial analysis from SK Securities cited via Para Bellum X.
Sources familiar with the negotiations say both Seoul and Manila aim to seal the deal by December 2025, aligning with the Philippines’ broader naval modernization under its Revised AFP Modernization Program.
Background: Modernizing the Philippine Fleet
The original contract for the Miguel Malvar-class frigates dates back to December 2021, when the Philippine Department of National Defense awarded HHI a government-to-government deal for two vessels.
These ships are based on HHI’s HDF-3200 (HDC-3100) design, an enlarged evolution of the earlier HDF-2600 platform used for the Jose Rizal-class.
The first of the class, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), was delivered in April 2025, ahead of schedule, and was officially received by the Philippine Navy in Subic, Zambales.
The second ship, BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07), was launched on 27 March 2025 at HHI’s Ulsan shipyard, and is scheduled for final outfitting, trials, and commissioning.
In September 2025, Diego Silang arrived in Philippine waters, meeting with BRP Jose Rizal about 14 nautical miles northwest of Botolan, Zambales, and is expected to enter operational service soon.
What’s New: The Follow-On Contract
According to SK Securities, the prospective new contract would build on the existing Miguel Malvar-class design, maintaining system commonality with the first two ships.
However, Manila is reportedly pushing for enhanced capabilities. Sources suggest the Philippine Navy is requesting upgraded electronic-warfare suites, improved sonar systems, and a more advanced command and control architecture.
In response, HHI has proposed a more advanced combat management system and modular internal spaces following a “fitted-for-but-not-with” philosophy, allowing for future upgrades.
Financial analysts estimate that each new frigate could cost between USD 550 million and USD 600 million, according to SK Securities’ assessment.
Technical Profile: The Miguel Malvar-Class
- Displacement & Size: Approximately 3,200 tonnes; 118.4 m length, 14.9 m beam.
- Propulsion: Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) system; max speed ~25 knots, cruising at 15 knots, with a range of 4,500 nautical miles.
- Endurance: Up to 20 days at sea.
- Aviation Facilities: Flight deck and hangar for a 10–12 ton helicopter.
- Armament:
- 76 mm main naval gun
- 16-cell Vertical Launch System (VLS) for surface-to-air missiles
- Quad launchers for anti-ship missiles (C-STAR)
- Two triple torpedo launchers (e.g., Blue Shark)
- Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) for point defense.
- Sensors & Systems:
- 3D AESA radar (e.g., IAI EL/M-2258 ALPHA)
- Hull-mounted sonar
- Safran PASEO XLR electro-optical system, modern combat management system
Strategic and Policy Implications
Strengthening Philippine Maritime Capability
The addition of two more Miguel Malvar-class frigates would significantly boost the Philippine Navy’s surface combatant fleet, underscoring Manila’s drive to modernize its naval forces under the Revised AFP Modernization Program.
These ships, with multi-mission capabilities (anti-surface, anti-air, anti-submarine), would expand the Philippines’ ability to operate in contested maritime zones, especially in the South China Sea, where security challenges persist.
Bilateral Security and Industrial Ties
A new contract would further cement defense-industrial cooperation between the Philippines and South Korea; HHI has emerged as a key, strategic supplier for Manila.
The deal signals trust in Seoul’s shipbuilding capacity and in HHI’s technical design, especially given the Philippines’ earlier procurements: two Jose Rizal-class frigates, followed by the first two Miguel Malvar-class.
Future Growth and Training
If the follow-on contract is formalized by December, keel-laying of the third ship could potentially begin in Q2 2026, with a targeted commissioning by late 2028, according to sources close to the discussions.
Preparation for the future vessels would likely include training of Philippine naval crews in South Korea on simulators and combat systems, possibly starting by mid-2027.
What Comes Next
- A formal contract signing by late December 2025 is being eyed by both countries.
- Once signed, shipbuilding will probably be carried out at HHI’s Ulsan yard, with possible involvement of Korean, European, and U.S.-sourced systems.
- The two follow-on frigates would raise the total number of Miguel Malvar-class ships in Philippine service to four, significantly enhancing the Navy’s surface fleet.
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