Philippine navy seeks ‘dream fleet’ in South China Sea, buys two South Korean warships to ramp up maritime defences

The navy hopes the corvettes worth US$556 million will boost its maritime strength in the resource-rich waterways where Manila faces a dispute with Beijing

The acquisition is part of the country’s effort to modernise its navy which is largely dependent on allies to counter China’s maritime assertiveness

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The Philippine navy is currently undergoing a modernisation drive. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 8:56pm, 29 Dec 2021Updated: 9:04pm, 29 Dec 2021

The Philippines signed a deal with South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries to buy two corvettes to form part of the navy’s dream fleet and to increase its defence capabilities amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.

While the navy’s long-delayed plan to modernise the force called for the addition of 10 missile-capable corvettes by 2023, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Colonel Ramon Zagala said that the two purpose-built small warships “will definitely improve the navy’s capability in terms of anti-air warfare, surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and electronic warfare.”

“Corvettes normally have high endurance and sophisticated combat management systems,” Zagala said.

“They are also capable of high speeds for rapid transit and manoeuvre and complement well our assets meant for maritime presence and defence.”

Defence chief Delfin Lorenzana, who signed the US$556 million contract on Tuesday, said the deal with the South Korean shipbuilding giant will “ensure commonality and interoperability with our existing assets” as well as “ease of maintenance.”