HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) has successfully launched the first of the six off-shore patrol ships ordered by the Philippine Navy as part of the Philippine naval modernization program.
HD HHI said on June 11 that it held a launch ceremony for the first off-shore patrol ship, “Rajah Sulayman,” christened after a 16th-century Filipino war hero, at HD HHI headquarters in Ulsan. The launch marks the second export ship launch following a second frigate, christened as “Diego Silang,” which was launched in March.
The event was attended by dignitaries, including Philippine Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega, and Joo Won-ho, head of HD Hyundai Heavy’s special vessel division.
The Rajah Sulayman, measuring 94 meters in length and 14 meters in width, is capable of cruising at a speed of 15 knots and navigating at a range of 5,500 nautical miles (10,186 km).
It is outfitted with weapon systems, such as a 76mm main gun, a 30mm secondary gun, a countermeasure launch system, search radar, and electronic optical tracking equipment.
The Rajah Sulayman is to be delivered to the Philippine navy next March after undergoing trial operation and final outfitting.
HD HHI plans to build the five follow-up off-shore patrol ships and deliver them by 2028 on a gradual basis.
Earlier, as the Philippine government has been pushing ahead with a program to modernize its Navy and raise its military capabilities, it placed an order for a combined 10 ships, including two escort ships in 2016, two frigates in 2021 and off-shore patrol vessels (OPVs) in 2022.
Joo Won-ho, head of HD Hyundai Heavy’s special vessel division, said, “We’re pleased to have successfully launched the first of a combined six OPVs, ordered by the Philippines and we plan to provide full support to successfully complete the military modernization program of the Philippines, a key partner of the K-maritime defense industry.”
Philippine Chief of Staff Gen. Brawner Jr. said, “The Rajah Sulayman is the fruit of a close partnership between the Philippines and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and a precious example of having demonstrated teamwork and power of a joint vision.”
“We want to mark a joint pledge to move forward as a dynamic and capable ocean country on the occasion of the meaning celebration of the Philippines’ Independence Day on June 12.”
Meanwhile, HD HHI unveiled a 6,500-ton escort for blue-sea operations, to be exported abroad, at MADEX 2025 in Busan in May for the first time.
HD KSOE Develops Nation’s 1st Electric Propulsion Drive for Naval Vessels
HD Hyundai has succeeded in the development of the nation’s first high-pressure propulsion drive and has come closer to localizing electric propulsion ships.
HD Hyundai said on June 13 its intermediate shipbuilding holding company, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), has successfully developed the nation’s first modular multilevel converter, high-pressure electric propulsion drive and verified it on land.
The demonstration was attended by key executives of the group, including Kim Sung-jun, CEO of HD KSOE, Ju Won-ho, head of special ships business at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and Kim Young-ki, CEO of HD Hyundai Electric.
Electric propulsion ships, which are quieter and are capable of conducting excellent maneuvering operations compared to the conventional diesel engines one, are evaluated to serve as a core power to determine the future of the naval power, and its demand in Korea and abroad tends to be on the rise.
HD KSOE Lands 8 Super-Sized Container Ships Worth Combined 2.4 Trillion Won
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) is on the roll as the shipbuilder has landed orders to build large-sized ships.
HD KSOE won eight 15,900-TEU container ships from a shipping company located in Aisa recently, the company said on June 16.
The value of the contract is worth a combined 2.4 trillion won.
The latest winning ships, each measuring 366 meters in length, 51 meters in width and 30.3 meters in height, will be built and delivered to the shipping owner by late 2028 on a gradual basis.
_필리핀 원해경비함.jpg)
