Press Releases
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Launches First Offshore Patrol Vessel for the Philippine Navy
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Launches First Offshore Patrol Vessel for the Philippine Navy
The first of six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) ordered by the Philippine Navy in 2022 has been launched by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI).
On the 12th, HD HHI announced that it held a launching ceremony on June 11 at its headquarters in Ulsan for the 2,400-ton RAJAH SULAYMAN, the lead ship in the class.
This marks the second launching ceremony for a Philippine Navy export ship this year, following the launch of the second corvette, DIEGO SILANG, in March.
RAJAH SULAYMAN will undergo sea trials and final outfitting before being delivered to the Philippine Navy in March next year. HD HHI plans to deliver the remaining five vessels sequentially by 2028.
Previously, the Philippine government awarded HD HHI a total of 10 ships under its naval modernization plan: two frigates (2016), two corvettes (2021), and six OPVs (2022).
The launching ceremony was attended by key Philippine military and government officials, including General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Philippine Ambassador to Korea; Vice Admiral Edwin Amadar, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff; and Assistant Secretary Augusto Gaite from the Department of National Defense.
Joo Won-ho, Head of the Special Ship Business Division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated:
“Based on our strong mutual trust, we will continue to actively support the Philippine military’s modernization efforts as a core partner of Korea’s maritime defense industry.”
General Romeo Brawner commented:
“RAJAH SULAYMAN is the result of the close collaboration between the Philippines and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and a valuable example of the power of teamwork and shared vision. The launching, which coincides with our Independence Day on June 12, symbolizes the strong cooperation between our two nations.”
Meanwhile, HD HHI participated in MADEX 2025, held in Busan last month, where it unveiled for the first time a 6,500-ton export-oriented multi-mission frigate for blue-water operations and signed a strategic partnership with the Portuguese Navy.
