Second HDC-3100 corvette in service of the Philippine Navy

The Navy of the Philippines has commissioned the second of two new BRP rocket corvettesDiego Silang built in South Korea. These units represent a clear leap quality the fighting capabilities of the Philippine fleet, which implements at an accelerated pace a program to modernise maritime forces in response to the increasing pressure of China in the South China Sea.

New HDC-3100 Corvettes for Manila

South Korean shipyard HD Hyundai Heavy Industries completed the construction of two missile corvettes of the HDF-3200 Hybrid project for the Navy of the Philippines. Second unit, BRP Diego Silang, was inducted into service on 2 December, more than six months after entering the line prototype BRP Miguel Malvar.

For the Filipino fleet, these are one of the most important battleships acquired in recent decades. The introduction of ships of this class means moving away from the existing structure of forces, based mainly on patrol units and auxiliary ships.

Although according to the official classification, the units of this project are classified as corvette-class ships, their actual operational potential and their dimensions place them on the border of light multitasking frigates intended for operations in open waters.

Combat breakthroughs

The new Corvettes are to carry a set of arms, consisting of a single 76 mm cannon, a 16-chamber VLS launcher for the anti-aircraft missile MBDA VL MICA, two double LIGNex1 SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missile launchers, the Aselsan Gökdeniz cal artillery system. 35 mm and two triple torpedo launchers ZOP K745 Blue Shark Kal. 324 mm, fired from SEA TLS type launcher. The addition is the electronic combat system with the firing ranges of the apparent Terma C-Guard targets.

Regional context and pressures of China

The modernisation of the Philippine maritime fleet is part of the broader programme of modernisation of the armed forces, implemented by Manila in response to the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the South China Sea region. In recent years, these waters have become the arena for numerous incidents involving Chinese coastguards and paramilitary formations, which regularly take action against Filipino patrol and fishing units.

New corvettes are thus expected to provide the Philippines with a more reliable response tool to such pressures, increasing the cost of potential escalation on the side of Beijing. In the opinion of Western analysts, the introduction of this class to the service of ships means that maritime competition in the region is no longer unilateral.

Cooperation with South Korea

Construction contract two corvettes worth around $550 million was signed in 2021 and forms part of a wider industrial and defence cooperation between the Philippines and South Korea. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has so far built a total of 10 ships for the Philippine Navy, including patrol boats.

The South Korean ship industry declares its readiness to further expand cooperation in the South-East Asia region, viewing the Philippines as one of the key partners in this area.

Subsequent stages of modernisation

Strengthening the water force does not exhaust Manila's plans. The Philippines is developing the concept of defending the archipelago, which includes the expansion of missile systems, the ability to recognize and watch the sea and the intensification of exercises with allies from the Indo-Pacific region.

Regardless of the expansion of the water forces, Manila returns the subject of the acquisition of submarines. Among potential bidders is the South Korean Hanwha Ocean company, presenting a comprehensive proposal covering both the construction of units and training and logistics facilities.