MANILA – The Philippine Navy has started the final inspection of BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), the country’s prospective second missile-capable frigate, in Ulsan, South Korea.
“For verification/validation of the contractor’s strict compliance to the agreed Technical Specifications and Build Specifications (TS&BS) in building and equipping PN Frigate 2,” Navy public affairs office chief Commander Benjo Negranza said Tuesday.
The final inspection started on Jan. 25 and will end on the 30th.
If found compliant, the Navy will issue a certificate of final acceptance to South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries before the inspecting team flies back to Manila, Negranza said.
Initial reports from Navy representatives, headed by Capt. Sergio Bartolome said the frigate is almost 100 percent finished and has satisfactorily passed harbor and sea trials.
“However, due to travel restriction and production disruption caused by (coronavirus disease 2019) Covid-19 pandemic, some training activities and ILS (integrated logistics support) deliveries have been delayed. Hence, completion dates and delivery schedules have been adjusted,” Negranza said.
The BRP Antonio Luna is a modern naval warship capable of surface, sub-surface, air, and electronic warfare using state-of-the-art electronic sensors, long-range missiles, acoustic guided torpedoes, and an embarked anti-submarine helicopter.
It is expected to be delivered and turned over to the Navy this first quarter of 2021.
The first frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), was delivered and subsequently commissioned last July 10. BRP Antonio Luna’s keel-laying on May 23, 2019 coincided with the launch of BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150).The contract for the BRP Jose Rizal and the BRP Antonio Luna was placed at PHP16 billion, with another PHP2 billion for weapon systems and munitions. (PNA)