Philippine Navy Commissions its First Ever Missile Frigate BRP Jose Rizal

The Philippine Navy commissioned its first ever guided missile frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), during a ceremony held Friday (July 10) at Alava Wharf, Subic Bay, Zambales.

The event was attended remotely via video (due to the pandemic) by Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte as guest of honor and the Philippine Navy’s flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo.

The commissioning ceremony should have taken place on June 19, date of the birthday of the ship’s namesake Dr. Jose Rizal. However, when the ship arrived in Subic on June 15, the crew of 65 had to quarantine for two weeks after one of its crew member tested positive for COVID-19. Following the quarantine, the frigate went through the final inspection before final acceptance.

The Philippine Navy announced earlier this week that BRP Jose Rizal will be participating in this year’s RIMPAC exercise along-side the U.S. Navy and 10 other nations. (NavalNews.com)

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PH Navy starts ‘new era of dev’t’ with BRP Rizal: PRRD

MANILA – The commissioning of the BRP Jose Rizal, the country’s first missile-frigate, marks the start of the Philippine Navy‘s “new era of development and transformation,” President Rodrigo R. Duterte said Friday.

"Today is the beginning of a new era of development and transformation for our Philippine Navy as we witness the commissioning of (the) Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Jose Rizal,” Duterte said in a taped video message flashed on the screen during the handover, christening, commissioning, and blessing of the frigate at the Alava Wharf in Subic Bay, Zambales.

The BRP Jose Rizal, a multi-role frigate built by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries, is capable of conducting anti-air warfare, anti-surface war, anti-submarine warfare, and electronic warfare operations.

The President expressed optimism that with the BRP Jose Rizal, the Philippine Navy would be more motivated to serve the country.

“I convey my deepest gratitude and appreciation to (the) Philippine Navy for always delivering the highest standard of service to our country and our people,” he said. “I am hopeful that you shall likewise be doubling the passion and commitment you have already manifested in ensuring the peace and progress truly deserved by our country.”

The procurement of the frigate was signed in 2016, along with another frigate, the BRP Antonio Luna that was launched in November 2019.

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PHOTOS:

[1-2] The Philippine Navy commissioned its first ever guided missile frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) in ceremonies held at the Alava Wharf, Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (MPD-SBMA)

[3] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma attends the commissioning by the Philippine Navy of the BRP Jose Rizal in Subic Bay Freeport. Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines Maj. Gen. Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana (3rd right) leads the commissioning ceremony while being accompanied by PAF chief Lieutenant General Allen T. Paredes, Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Italia Gapay, SBMA chief Eisma, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., and Philippine Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Jamero Bacordo. (MPD-SBMA)

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PN’s first missile-capable warship arrives in Subic

The Philippine Navy greatly boosted its current fleet with the low-key arrival of its first missile capable frigate, to be named BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), in Subic, Zambales, on Saturday.

From a five-day maiden voyage in Ulsan, South Korea, the frigate was accorded the traditional passing honors with BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS17) and three multipurpose assault craft (MPACs).

The event was documented during a fly-by of two anti-submarine helicopters, the Agusta Westland (AW) 159, and AW109. Prior to this, a meeting procedure was held between the frigate and BRP Andres Bonifacio with AW109 in the vicinity of Sta. Cruz, Zambales, before it was finally escorted to its designated anchorage area.

While at anchor, the sailing crew will undergo two-week quarantine in adherence to strict health protocols to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID19). The Technical Inspection and Acceptance of the frigate will commence after the quarantine period.

Breakthrough in Navy’s transformation 

The arrival of the country’s first missile-capable frigate is a “testament” to the government’s resolve to modernize the military as well as a “breakthrough” in the Philippine Navy’s transformation journey, Malacañang said.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque affirmed that the government remains committed in building a strong and credible maritime force to protect the country’s seas from threats.

The 2,600-ton ship, named after the country’s national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, is the latest addition in the Philippine Navy’s fleet that can fire guided missiles and torpedoes.

“We are pleased to announce the historic arrival to the Philippines of BRP Jose Rizal, our country’s first ever guided-missile frigate. The arrival of the country’s most advanced warship, delivered during this administration, is a testament to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s commitment to modernize our armed forces,” Roque said.

“This forms part of the national leadership’s initiative to enhance the country’s defense capabilities to secure our seas against current threats,” he added.

Roque said they consider the arival of the new ship “a breakthrough in the Philippine Navy’s transformation journey in our goal of building a strong and credible maritime force.”

BRP Jose Rizal 

The frigate will tentatively be commissioned into service on June 19, Rizal’s birthday. The 351 by 46-feet warship weighs 2,600 tons.

It is capable of “fighting the four dimensions of warfare” namely anti-air warfare (AAW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and electronic warfare (EW) operations, and is equipped with surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles, torpedoes, and launchers.

It will also be equipped with a Hanwha Systems’ Naval Shield combat management system (CMS), regarded as the “brain” of military warship, which integrates all shipboard sensors and weapons.

This means that the ships will be able to detect and track air, surface and sub-surface targets. The same type of CMS was used by the Korean, Malaysian and Indonesian navies.

The frigate is the lead ship of its class and was built together with its sister ship, BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), which is set to be delivered in September this year The two missile frigates are part of an ₱18-billion contract between the Philippines and South Korea through shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in October 2016.

Each frigate costs ₱8 billion, with some ₱2 billion allotted for their systems and munition. (Martin Sadongdong and Genalyn Kabiling, Manila Bulletin)  

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