HHI starts construction of second Philippine Navy frigate

South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has cut first steel for the second Philippine Navy frigate at its Pohang site on Monday.

The steel cutting ceremony for the second of two frigates on order took place five months after the South Korean shipbuilder started construction on the first unit in the class.

The frigates are set to have pennant numbers P 159 and P 160. The first frigate is scheduled to have its keel laid in October this year.

Ordered from HHI in October 2016, the two frigates will be 107 meters long, have a beam of 14 meters and a hull draught of 4 meters.

They are designed as a smaller version of the Incheon-class frigate which is already in service with the Republic of Korea Navy.

With a projected range of 4,500 nautical miles range at a cruising speed of 15 knots, the ships are to be operable up to Sea State 5.