The Philippine Navy has received the first Miguel Malvar-class corvette built in South Korea. According to Naval News, the ceremony of the ship's arrival at the naval operational base in Subic was led by Chief of the Defense Staff Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
"This corvette arrived here today not only to serve as a deterrent and defender of our waters, but also to participate in joint operations, as we act together with our allies and uphold international law," Teodoro said at a ceremony on Tuesday, April 8.
Corvette Miguel Malvar, Philippines
Philippine Navy
Corvette Miguel Malvar, Philippines
Philippine Navy
The Miguel Malvar-class corvettes have improved capabilities compared to the Jose Rizal-class frigates, which the South Korean shipbuilding company Hyundai Heavy Industries transferred to the Philippine Navy in 2020 and 2021. The second ship of the new class, the Diego Silang, was launched in March at the shipyard in Ulsan. Its construction and testing are planned to be completed by the autumn of 2025.
Teodoro outlined the main activities of the Philippine Department of Defense: developing key and strategic capabilities, ensuring sustainable sources of income, improving the quality of staff training and education, as well as improving situational awareness and integrating multiple threat response systems.
Initially announced in 2012, the Philippine Navy's modernization plan focused on acquiring a powerful fleet, including six air defense frigates and three attack submarines. However, as of the beginning of 2025, the national fleet has received only two modern frigates, the Jose Rizal and the Antonio Luna.
In January 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allocated $35 billion for the modernization of the army, approving the Re-Horizon 3 initiative, designed to prioritize the modernization of the Navy over the next decade.
According to local media, the Miguel Malvar-class corvettes are being reclassified as frigates, since they are not inferior in size to the Jose Rizal-class ships.
The Miguel Malvar–type corvettes are 118.4 meters long, 14.9 meters wide, and 3,200 tons in displacement. Cruising speed is 15 knots, cruising range is 4,500 nautical miles. They are equipped with advanced weapons systems, including C-STAR anti-ship missiles, vertical launch systems for anti-aircraft missiles and an active phased array radar (AFAR).
