HD Hyundai Heavy commissions second OPV for Philippine Navy as Marcos hails 'milestone'

By Seo Ji-yeon, The Herald Business

The second offshore patrol vessel built by HD Hyundai Heavy for the Philippine Navy has been formally commissioned, marking a further expansion of South Korean defense exports amid Manila's push to strengthen its maritime security capabilities in the South China Sea and beyond.

The commissioning ceremony for BRP Raja Lakandula was held Tuesday at the Philippine Navy headquarters on Manila Bay, Luzon, according to the South Korean Embassy in Manila. The event coincided with the Philippine Navy's 128th founding anniversary celebration.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos attended the ceremony in person. In his address, Marcos called the newly commissioned vessel "a milestone showing we have taken one more step toward our government's goal of military modernization and building a strong navy capable of defending itself." He added that he was "very pleased to personally celebrate the commissioning on Tuesday, the Navy's 128th anniversary."

Marcos has shown strong interest in the Philippine Navy's force-buildup program. He also attended the delivery ceremony last May for the frigate BRP Miguel Malvar, likewise built by HD Hyundai Heavy.

The Raja Lakandula is the second OPV in the class, following BRP Raja Sulaiman, which was commissioned in January. The vessel measures 94 meters in length and 14 meters in beam, with a cruising speed of 15 knots (about 28 kilometers per hour) and a range of 5,500 nautical miles (about 10,186 kilometers).

The ship carries a 76mm main gun and a 30mm secondary gun, along with a decoy launching system, search radar and electro-optical tracking equipment. It is capable of conducting long-range maritime surveillance and alert missions, as well as defending maritime sovereignty and responding to disasters.

The vessel is expected to play a particularly important role in bolstering the Philippines' maritime defense capabilities in the South China Sea, where Manila is locked in a territorial dispute with China.

HD Hyundai Heavy has taken part in the Philippine Navy's modernization project since 2016, securing orders for a total of 12 vessels — including frigates and offshore patrol vessels — and establishing itself as a core partner of the Philippine Navy.

South Korea's defense industry views the commissioning as further proof of the competitiveness of Korean-built warships in the Southeast Asian market. As the Philippines and other regional nations pursue stronger maritime security capabilities, export opportunities for South Korean shipbuilders and defense firms continue to expand.