Camille Naredo

The AFP and Defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro welcome the future BRP Miguel Malvar in Subic Bay, April 8, 2025. Handout/AFP

The AFP and Defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro welcome the future BRP Miguel Malvar in Subic Bay, April 8, 2025

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744102443437viber_image_2025-04-08_14-24-58-112.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The AFP and Defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro welcome the future BRP Miguel Malvar in Subic Bay, April 8, 2025. Handout/AFP"/>The AFP and Defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro welcome the future BRP Miguel Malvar in Subic Bay, April 8, 2025. Handout/AFP</div>MANILA -- The Philippines took possession of the first of two corvette-class warships with &quot;advanced weapons and radar systems&quot; on Tuesday as it faces growing pressure from Beijing in the disputed South China Sea.The arrival of the 3,200-ton guided missile corvette, the future BRP Miguel Malvar, is part of a two-ship deal with South Korea&#x27;s Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2021.Its sister ship, the BRP Diego Silang, was formally launched in Ulsan, South Korea, last month but has yet to begin the journey to the Philippines.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/28/brp-diego-silang-launched-in-south-korea-1855">READ: BRP Diego Silang launched in South Korea</a></div>The shipyard also supplied the country&#x27;s first two Jose Rizal Class guided missile frigates in 2018.Corvettes are small, fast warships mainly used to protect other vessels from attack.The arrival of the ship marked &quot;a critical step toward developing a self-reliant and credible defense posture&quot;, the Philippine defence department said in a statement.It follows months of confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety despite an international ruling its assertion has no merit.&quot;(The) Miguel Malvar is here today not only to serve as a deterrent and protector of our waters but also as an important component in joint and combined operations&quot; with allies, Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro said at a Subic Bay naval base ceremony.The deal for the two ships was first unveiled in 2021, five years after Hyundai Heavy Industries had won a contract to build two new frigates for the Philippine Navy.The military said last month that the two corvettes would &quot;significantly enhance the country&#x27;s naval capabilities amid growing security challenges in the West Philippine Sea&quot;.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744102503676viber_image_2025-04-08_14-25-13-339.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The AFP and Defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro welcome the future BRP Miguel Malvar in Subic Bay, April 8, 2025. Handout/AFP"/>The AFP and Defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro welcome the future BRP Miguel Malvar in Subic Bay, April 8, 2025. Handout/AFP</div>On Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard separately welcomed the donation of 20 Australian surveillance drones its commander said could extend its vessels&#x27; coverage area by a &quot;significant distance&quot;.Using drones will &quot;save fuel and it will be less risky for our people&quot;, Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan said at a ceremony in coastal Bataan province.The Philippines has been deepening ties with allies and more aggressively pushing back on Beijing&#x27;s sweeping South China Sea claims since President Ferdinand Marcos took office in 2022.In December, Manila said it planned to acquire the US mid-range Typhon missile system in a push to secure its maritime interests.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/1/us-approves-5-58-b-sale-of-f-16-fighter-jets-to-philippines-0705">READ: US approves $5.58-B sale of F-16 fighter jets to Philippines</a></div>Beijing warned such a purchase could spark a regional &quot;arms race&quot;.Last week, the United States said it had approved the possible sale of $5.58 billion in F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, though Manila said the deal was &quot;still in the negotiation phase&quot;.<div>© Agence France-Presse</div>

The arrival of the 3,200-ton guided missile corvette, the future BRP Miguel Malvar, is part of a two-ship deal with South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2021.

The arrival of the 3,200-ton guided missile corvette, the future BRP Miguel Malvar, is part of a two-ship deal with South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2021.

Philippines welcomes new guided missile warship

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Philippines welcomes new guided missile warship

Agence France-Presse

Published Apr 08, 2025 04:58 PM PHT

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BRP Miguel Malvar

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maritime dispute

BRP Diego Silang

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