The Philippine Navy officially welcomed the BRP Miguel Malvar, a state-of-the-art guided missile corvette-class warship from South Korea, during an arrival ceremony at the Naval Operating Base in Subic, Zambales.
Weighing 3,200 tons, the warship is equipped with advanced radar and weapon systems, making it a significant upgrade in the country’s maritime defense capability.
The BRP Miguel Malvar is the first of two corvette-class warships acquired under a 2021 defense agreement between the Philippines and South Korea.
Named after Filipino revolutionary general and national hero Miguel Malvar, the ship symbolizes the country’s enduring commitment to national defense.
Its sister ship, BRP Diego Silang, was launched in Ulsan, South Korea last month and is expected to arrive in the Philippines soon.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro led the welcoming ceremony, emphasizing the strategic value of the BRP Miguel Malvar not only as a maritime deterrent but also as a key asset in joint and combined operations with allied nations.
Secretary Teodoro described the ship’s arrival as a milestone in the modernization of the Philippine Navy and a crucial step toward protecting the nation’s maritime interests.
The agreement for the warships was signed five years after Hyundai Heavy Industries secured the contract to build two new frigates for the Philippines.
Corvettes are small, agile warships primarily used to defend larger vessels from attacks, particularly in high-risk or contested maritime zones.
The BRP Miguel Malvar’s arrival comes amid ongoing maritime tensions between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
Its deployment is seen as a critical move to bolster naval presence and reinforce the Philippines’ sovereignty in its territorial waters.