Philippines’ new warship aims to boost its South China Sea defences – but is it enough?
The BRP Diego Silang guided-missile frigate marks a milestone, but analysts say Manila is still playing catch-up and mostly relies on the US
At a ceremony held on Monday in a naval base in Subic Bay, Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner Jnr said the new vessel “represents our relentless pursuit of a more capable and credible Philippine Navy. It reflects years of hard work, planning and cooperation with our allies and partners.”
Named for a Filipino revolutionary hero, the Diego Silang measures 118 metres (387 feet) in length and is bristling with anti-air and anti-submarine weaponry – capabilities the Philippines has long sought.
Together with her sister ship, the BRP Miguel Malvar – delivered earlier this year – the Diego Silang forms the centrepiece of a 28 billion-peso (US$560 million) deal with South Korea’s HD Hyundai, signed in December 2021.