Philippines, which has prepared a stronger naval infrastructure within the scope of the restructuring of the armed forces, is close to receiving its first guided missile frigate.

BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), the first platform of the Jose Rizal class frigates ordered by the Philippines to the Republic of Korea, set sail from the Hyundai Heavy Industries Shipyard following the completion of its construction and testing activities. The ship, which sails to the Philippines for the commissioning ceremony, will arrive on 23 May.

Launched in 2019, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) started sea trials in November of the same year. Although the platform was planned to commission with a ceremony on April 18, the process was delayed due to the world-wide epidemic.

Under the agreement signed with the Republic of Korea in 2016, the Philippines ordered two light frigates. The ships, which were built under the program with a total cost of 311 million USD, weigh 2,500 tons. The platforms, similar to Korea's Incheon (FFX-I) class frigates, are 107 meters long. Thanks to the CODAD propulsion system, the cruising speed of the vessels of Jose Rizal class, which has reached a maximum speed of 25 knots / hour, is 15 knots, and the maximum range is 4,500 nautical miles. The platforms, which can be equipped with four anti-ship guided missiles, feature two SIMBAD-RC short-range air defense systems, 76 mm main gun, one ASELSAN Smash 30 mm remote control weapon system (RCWS) and two 324 mm triple launch torpedo tubes. The frigates, which most sensor systems are procured from Thales, are designed to allow the integration of eight VLS tubes and can serve the AW159 Lynx Wildcat helicopter.