First of two frigates from South Korea arriving next month: PN

March 11, 2020

The first of the two  multi-mission capable frigates of the Philippine Navy (PN) is expected to arrive next month.

Philippine Navy (PN) Flag Officer in Command, Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said according to Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), BRP Jose Rizal will be delivered before the end of April.

"By contract it is September 2020 but per informal talks with the HHI, they have committed on third or fourth week of April," he said.

Bacordo did not say when the vessel will leave from South Korea but he said  it is only waiting for the certification on the combat management system before it sail towards the Philippines.

"No exact date yet. What they just say is that the window is third or fourth week of April. That is their target," he said.

"All systems are okay. They are just waiting for a certification, the certification on the combat management system. It's just a certification from the original equipment manufacturer," he added.

Bacordo said that despite the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 that reached number of countries including South Korea, the situation will not affect the delivery of the vessel in the country. Robina Asido/DMS