HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has launched the first of six OPVs ordered by the Philippines in 2022. Named Rajah Sulayman after a national hero, the vessel will be delivered in March 2026, with the remaining ships delivered by 2028.
HD HHI Press Release translated by Naval News
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has successfully launched the first of six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) ordered by the Philippine Navy, a key partner in South Korea’s “K-Defense” maritime strategy.
On Wednesday (June 11th), the company announced that it held a launching ceremony at its Ulsan headquarters for the 2,400-ton lead ship of the class, the BRP Rajah Sulayman. This marks the second launching ceremony for a Philippine Navy vessel this year, following the launch of the second corvette, BRP Diego Silang, in March.
The event was attended by around 70 officials from both countries, including Philippine Armed Forces Chief of Staff, General Romeo S. Brawner, Philippine Ambassador to Korea, Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, Vice Commander of Philippine Navy, Brigadier General Edwin E. Amadar, and Assistant Secretary of the Department of National Defense, Augusto V. Gaite, along with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Head of Naval & Special Ship Business Unit (NSSBU), Dr.Won-ho Joo.
BRP Rajah Sulayman is a state-of-the-art offshore patrol vessel, measuring 94 meters in length and 14 meters in width. It has a cruising speed of 15 knots (approximately 28 km/h) and an operational range of 5,500 nautical miles (about 10,186 km). The ship is equipped with a 76mm main gun, a 30mm secondary gun, a decoy launching system, search radar, and electro-optical tracking systems.
The vessel is named after Rajah Sulayman, a Filipino hero who defended Manila against foreign invaders in the 16th century.
Following sea trials and final outfitting, the Rajah Sulayman is scheduled to be delivered to the Philippine Navy in March next year. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plans to complete and deliver the remaining five vessels by 2028.
Previously, as part of its naval modernization and force enhancement program, the Philippine government placed orders with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for a total of 10 vessels: two frigates in 2016, two corvettes in 2021, and six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) in 2022.
We are pleased to have successfully launched the first of the six OPVs ordered by the Philippines. Based on mutual trust, we will continue to provide our full support to ensure the successful completion of the Philippine military’s modernization program as a key partner in the K-Defense maritime sector.
Dr. Won-ho Joo, Head of the Naval & Special Ship Business Unit at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries
BRP Rajah Sulayman is a product of close cooperation between the Philippines and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and it serves as a valuable example of the power of teamwork and shared vision. On this meaningful Philippine Independence Day, we reaffirm our commitment to becoming a dynamic and capable maritime nation.
General Romeo S. Brawner, Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces
Meanwhile, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is accelerating its push into the global naval defense market. At MADEX 2025 held in Busan this May, the company unveiled its new 6,500-ton export frigate for blue-water operations for the first time and signed a strategic partnership MOU with the Portuguese Navy.
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This article was curated by memoment.jp from the feed source: Naval News.
Original article: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/06/hd-hhi-launches-philippine-navy-opv-brp-rajah-sulayman/
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