The Philippine Navy’s first missile-capable frigate, the future BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150). FILE PHOTO
The BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), one of the Philippine Navy’s most capable warships, arrived in Ulsan, South Korea, on Thursday for maintenance and repairs for the first time since it was delivered in 2020. The missile-armed frigate was welcomed by the 8,200-ton destroyer ROKS Jeongjo the Great (DDG-995), touted as South Korea’s most powerful warship set for commissioning next year. South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) was earlier awarded a contract to conduct “maintenance, repair and overhaul” of the Rizal-class frigates. The services for the next month and a half would include “repair or replacement of worn-out machinery parts while fulfilling all warranty claims of the ship.” HHI built the two Rizal-class frigates—the other being BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) delivered in 2021.