The second brand new frigate ordered from South Korea is already in the country’s waters, giving the Philippine Navy a pair of its much sought class of warships.
A statement from the Navy said that the soon to be officially named as the BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) sailed through the Philippine waters near Caponese Island in Zambales on Tuesday.
“FF151’s sister ship, the BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), rendered the customary meeting procedure and passing exercise (PASSEX) followed by both ships’ first maneuvering exercises (MANNEX),” the Navy said in a statement released through Cdr. Benjo Negranza.
Negranza, the Navy public affairs office chief, said the exercises were captured by an AW109 naval helicopter. The procedure was complemented by a fly-by of three FA-50 jets from the Philippine Air Force.
“This time-honored maritime tradition was conducted to commemorate FF151’s arrival to our territorial waters and to extend and maximize the training and systems familiarization opportunities of every crew aboardship in preparation for independent ship operation,” the Navy said.
The upcoming Antonio Luna was the second of the two missile-capable frigates that the Navy acquired from South Korean Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) under the Navy’s capability upgrade program.
“Frigate Antonio Luna will sail in formation with frigate Jose Rizal through Manila Bay before proceeding to its anchorage area in Subic, Zambales where the crew and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) personnel will observe mandatory quarantine period,” the Navy said.
Negranza said a formal arrival ceremony will be held later this month upon completion of the quarantine period and satisfactory result of their COVID-19 swab test.
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