PH signs contract for six patrol vessels from South Korean firm

The Philippines picks South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries to build six offshore patrol vessels for the Philippine Navy for P30 billion.

MANILA, Philippines — The country has signed the contract for the purchase of six additional offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) from a South Korean company, the Department of National Defense said on Tuesday.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and South Korean company Hyundai inked the agreement worth P30 billion during a contract signing ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday.

READ: Navy to order 6 more patrol vessels from South Korea

The OPVs measure 94.4 meters long, 14.3 meters wide, with a displacement of 2,400 tons, maximum speed of 22 knots, cruising speed of 15 knots and a range of 5,500 nautical miles, according to DND.

“The project aims to further enhance the maritime patrol capabilities of the Philippine Navy, and it includes technology transfer, particularly Human Engineering Operators and Maintenance Training of Equipment, Operations Training and a Design Ownership, granting the Philippine Navy a license to manufacture/build using the OPV’s design for the exclusive use of the Philippine government,” the DND said in a statement.

“In addition to the above, a Lifetime Service Support contract was also signed for the sustainment of the Jose Rizal-class Frigates,” DND added.

It can be recalled that the Philippine government once halted a negotiation with an Australian company regarding the said OPVs due to increase in pricing.

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