The Philippine Navy is upgrading its fleet with the advanced Miguel Malvar-class guided-missile frigates.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Designed by South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries, these new warships represent a significant leap in capability for the Philippine Navy. By evolving from the earlier Jose Rizal-class design, these frigates integrate superior radar, expanded missile capacity, and advanced combat management systems to meet modern maritime defense requirements in the region.

The Miguel Malvar-class project originated as a plan to procure two guided-missile corvettes under the Philippine Navy's Horizon 2 modernization phase. Initially designated as the HDC-3100, the project underwent a reclassification process, eventually being categorized as guided-missile frigates. The development process relied on lessons learned from the construction of the Jose Rizal-class frigates between 2016 and 2020, with the Technical Working Group using that earlier vessel as a baseline for necessary improvements.

These frigates feature a 116-meter hull and a displacement of 3,100 tons, powered by a Combined Diesel and Diesel propulsion system. This configuration enables the ships to reach speeds exceeding 25 knots and maintain an operational range of approximately 4,500 nautical miles. The design prioritizes modularity and firepower, including a 16-cell vertical launching system for surface-to-air missiles, two quadruple anti-ship missile launchers, and triple torpedo launchers capable of firing various international munitions.

Technological enhancements are central to the class's performance. The ships utilize the Naval Shield Integrated Combat Management System and an ELM-2258 ALPHA 3D radar, which provides 360-degree coverage and tracks targets at distances up to 250 kilometers. Other specialized equipment includes SharpEye navigation radars and PASEO XLR optronic systems. The lead ship, BRP Miguel Malvar, was commissioned in May 2025, marking a milestone in the navy's ongoing efforts to modernize its offshore combat capabilities through strategic government-to-government partnerships.

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