The Philippine Navy has accepted delivery of its first Rajah Sulayman-class offshore patrol vessel from South Korea, marking a key step in modernizing its surface fleet under a 2022 procurement contract.
The lead ship, BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20), is the first of six new OPVs being built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to replace older patrol vessels and strengthen maritime security, counter-piracy, and EEZ monitoring missions.
The vessel was handed over in Zambales and will now undergo acceptance trials and pre-commissioning checks before entering active service in the first quarter of 2026. The remaining ships in the class are at various stages of construction, with deliveries planned through 2028.
At 94 meters in length, the Rajah Sulayman-class OPV can carry up to 70 personnel and operate three rigid-hull boats and a helicopter. Powered by twin MTU-STX diesel engines, the ship reaches speeds of up to 22 knots, has a range of 5,500 nautical miles, and can remain deployed for up to 30 days.
The class is equipped with modern navigation, surveillance, and combat systems, including IFF, electronic warfare countermeasures, and a combat management system. Armament consists of a 76-mm main gun, 30-mm secondary weapons, and 12.7-mm machine guns.
Once commissioned, the Rajah Sulayman-class vessels will complement the Philippine Navy’s Rizal-class frigates and Malvar-class corvettes, both also developed in cooperation with South Korea and Hyundai.
